Pre-fabricated sensor system including removable electronics device

ABSTRACT

A removable electronics device and related pre-fabricated sensor assemblies having different sensor layouts are provided. The removable electronics module includes one or more processors, an inertial measurement unit, a first communication interface configured to communicatively couple the removable electronics device to one or more computing devices, a second communication interface configured to communicatively couple the removable electronics device to a plurality of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies, and a housing at least partially enclosing the processor, the inertial measurement unit, the first communication interface, and the second communication interface. The housing includes a first opening in at least one longitudinal surface and adjacent to at least a portion of the first communication interface and a plurality of second openings in a lower surface and adjacent to the plurality of contact pads of the second communication interface.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronics devices forinteractive objects.

BACKGROUND

An interactive object can include a sensor such as sensing lines whichmay include conductive threads incorporated into the interactive objectto form a sensor such as a capacitive touch sensor that is configured todetect touch input. The interactive object can process the touch inputto generate touch data that is useable to initiate functionality locallyat the interactive object or at various remote devices that arewirelessly coupled to the interactive object. Interactive objects mayinclude conductive lines for other purposes, such as for strain sensorsusing conductive threads and for visual interfaces using line optics.

An interactive object may be formed by forming a grid or array ofconductive thread woven into an interactive textile, for example. Eachconductive thread can include a conductive wire (e.g., a copper wire)that is twisted, braided, or wrapped with one or more flexible threads(e.g., polyester or cotton threads). It may be difficult, however, fortraditional sensor designs with such conductive lines to be implementedwithin objects.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a removableelectronics device, comprising one or more processors, an inertialmeasurement unit, a first communication interface configured tocommunicatively couple the removable electronics device to one or morecomputing devices, and a second communication interface comprising aplurality of contact pads configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronics device to a plurality of pre-fabricated sensorassemblies. Each pre-fabricated sensor assembly of the pluralityincludes a respective touch sensor having a respective plurality ofsensing elements. The respective touch sensors of at least two of thepre-fabricated sensor assemblies include different sensor layouts forthe respective pluralities of sensing elements. The removableelectronics device includes a housing at least partially enclosing theprocessor, the inertial measurement unit, the first communicationinterface, and the second communication interface. The housing includesa first opening in at least one longitudinal surface and adjacent to atleast a portion of the first communication interface and a plurality ofsecond openings in a lower surface and adjacent to the plurality ofcontact pads of the second communication interface.

Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems,apparatus, computer program products (such as tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media but also such as software which is downloadableover a communications network without necessarily being stored innon-transitory form), user interfaces, memory devices, and electronicdevices for implementing and utilizing touch sensors such as capacitivetouch sensors.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example computing environment in which apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an example computing environment thatincludes an interactive object in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts an example computing environment including a removableelectronics device that may be removably coupled to multiple interactiveobjects in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 4-7 are various perspective views depicting an example removableelectronics device in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 8-9 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, depictingan example pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts an example layout of a plurality of conductive threadsof a capacitive touch sensor in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 11-13 are various perspective views depicting an examplereceptacle of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 14A-14C or perspective views depicting an example receptacle andthe insertion of a removable electronics module into the receptacle inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 15-16 are top and bottom perspective views, respectively,depicting an example pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17-18 are front and side perspective views, respectively,depicting an example receptacle of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 19A-19C are various perspective views depicting an example ofinserting a removable electronics module into a receptacle of apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 20A-20D are perspective views depicting an interactive shoe insertand the insertion of a removable electronics module into a receptacle ofthe interactive shoe insert in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 21 depicts a flow diagram describing an example process ofconfiguring a removable electronics module for a particular type ofpre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 22-23 are top and bottom perspective views depicting an example ofa pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the example pre-fabricatedsensor assembly depicted in FIGS. 22-23 in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a top detailed view of a subset of the sensing lines of theexample pre-fabricated sensor assembly depicted in FIGS. 22-24 inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view depicting another example of apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments ofpresent disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a detailed view of the example pre-fabricated sensor assemblydepicted in FIG. 7 in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view depicting an example of apre-fabricated sensor assembly including conductive threads implementedas a set of conductive lines for a capacitive touch sensor in accordancewith example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a detailed view of the example pre-fabricated sensor assemblydepicted in FIG. 9 in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates an example of an interactive object with multipleelectronics modules in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view depicting another example of apre-fabricated sensor assembly including conductive threads implementedas a set of conductive lines for a capacitive touch sensor in accordancewith example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a front perspective view depicting an example of apre-fabricated sensor assembly attached to a strap of an interactivegarment accessory in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 33 is a side perspective view depicting the example pre-fabricatedsensor assembly and interactive garment accessory depicted in FIG. 13 inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is an illustration of a person wearing an interactive backpackincluding a pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 depicts a receptacle of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly andillustrates a removable electronics module being physically coupled toan interactive object via the receptacle in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is an illustration of an interactive garment depicting theinsertion of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly into the interactivegarment in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 37 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example process ofmanufacturing an interactive object using a pre-fabricated sensorassembly in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 38 illustrates various components of an example computing systemthat can be implemented as any type of client, server, and/or computingdevice as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or moreexamples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example isprovided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of thepresent disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to theembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the presentdisclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure aredirected to methods and systems related to pre-fabricated sensorassemblies for interactive objects and removable electronics devices(also referred to as removable electronics modules) that are configuredto interface with different types of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies,such as may be incorporated within different types of interactiveobjects. More particularly, a removable electronics device in accordancewith example embodiments of the disclosed technology can be configuredto interface with various types of touch sensors that may be integratedwithin different pre-fabricated sensor assemblies. Additionally, theremovable electronics device can be configured to interface with one ormore sensors integrated within the removable electronics device, such asan inertial measurement unit. The removable electronics device may beconfigured to physically and removably couple to sensor assemblieshaving different form factors, as well as for communication with touchsensors having different sensor layouts of sensing elements, etc. Inthis manner, a user may utilize a single removable electronics devicethat can automatically interface with different types of sensorassemblies in order to interact with various types of interactiveobjects.

By way of example, a removable electronics device in accordance withexample embodiments may be configured to interface with pre-fabricatedsensor assemblies having different types of sensors. For example, afirst pre-fabricated sensor assembly may have a first type of capacitivetouch sensor, such as may be integrated within a first type ofinteractive object (e.g., a jacket). The first type of capacitive touchsensor may include sensing elements having a first sensor layout. Thesensor layout may refer to a sensing element material (e.g., metal line,conductive thread, etc.), a number of sensing elements of the touchsensor a shape of the sensing elements (e.g., lines, squares, circles,or other shape), a dimension of the sensing elements, and/or a spacingbetween sensing elements, etc. The removable electronics module may befurther configured to interface with a second pre-fabricated sensorassembly having a second type of capacitive touch sensor, such as may beintegrated within a second type of interactive object (e.g., a shoe).The second type of capacitive touch sensor may include sensing elementshaving a second sensor layout. In this manner, a single removableelectronics device may be utilized with multiple interactive objectsincluding different types of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies.

According to example aspects, a removable electronics device inaccordance with example embodiments can include one or more processors,a first communication interface configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronics device to one or more computing devices, and asecond communication interface configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronics device to a plurality of pre-fabricated sensorassemblies. Each pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a respectivetouch sensor having a respective plurality of sensing elements withdifferent sensory layouts. By way of example, the removable electronicsdevice can be configured for communication with at least a firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly comprising a first touch sensor having afirst set of sensing elements and a second pre-fabricated sensorassembly comprising a second touch sensor having a second set of sensingelements with a different sensory layout. The removable electronicsmodule can analyze, in response to the removable electronics devicebeing physically coupled to the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly,first touch data associated with the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly to detect one or more pre-defined motions based on one or morefirst pre-defined parameters associated with the first touch sensor. Theremovable electronics module can analyze, in response to the removableelectronics device being physically coupled to the second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly, second touch data associated with the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly to detect the one or more pre-definedmotions based on one or more second pre-defined parameters associatedwith the second touch sensor.

The removable electronics device may be removably inserted into a firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly of a first interactive object and beconfigured to detect one or more pre-defined motions associated withtouch data generated in response to touch inputs to a first sensor(e.g., capacitive touch sensor) of the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly. For example, the removable electronics module may perform amotion (e.g., gesture) recognition process for the one or morepre-defined motions using a first set of pre-defined detectionparameters when the removable electronics module is inserted into thefirst pre-fabricated sensor assembly. In some examples, the removableelectronics module may perform a gesture recognition process for the oneor more pre-defined motions using a machine learned model associatedwith the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The machine learned modelassociated with the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly can beconfigured particularly for the sensor of the first pre-fabricatedsensor assembly. In some examples, the machine learned model associatedwith the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a set ofweights or other parameters associated with the sensor of the firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly.

The removable electronics module may be removed from the firstinteractive object and inserted into a second pre-fabricated sensorassembly of a second interactive object. The removable electronicsmodule can be reconfigured to detect the one or more pre-defined motionsassociated with touch data generated in response to touch inputs to asecond touch sensor (e.g., resistive touch sensor) of the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly when the removable electronics module isinserted into the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly. For example,the removable electronics module may perform a motion recognitionprocess for the one or more pre-defined motions using a second set ofpre-defined detection parameters. In some examples, the removableelectronics module may perform a gesture recognition process for the oneor more pre-defined motions using a machine learned model associatedwith the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The machine learnedmodel associated with the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly can beconfigured particularly for the sensor of the second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly. In some examples, the machine learned model associatedwith the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a set ofweights or other parameters associated with the sensor of the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly. In some examples, the removableelectronics module may perform a gesture recognition process for the oneor more pre-defined motions using a second machine learned modelassociated with the second preconfigured sensor assembly. In otherexamples, the removable electronics module may perform a gesturerecognition process for the one or more pre-defined motions using thesame machine learned model as for the pre-first pre-fabricated sensorassembly, however a different set of weights can be used. The removableelectronics device can obtain the pre-defined parameters over a wirelessnetwork interface in some examples. For instance, the removableelectronics device may obtain the pre-defined parameters from one ormore remote computing devices, such as of a cloud computing service.

According to some aspects, a removable electronics device such as aremovable electronics module for pre-fabricated sensor assemblies cananalyze touch data from a first preconfigured sensor assembly to detectone or more pre-defined motions such as gestures provided as a touchinput to a capacitive touch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly. The removable electronics module can use one or more firstpre-defined parameters such as sensing, motion, or other detectionparameters associated with the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Theremovable electronics device can analyze touch data from a secondpreconfigured sensor assembly to detect the one or more pre-definedmotions such as gestures provided as a touch input to a capacitive touchsensor of the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The removableelectronics device can use one or more second pre-defined parametersassociated with the second preconfigured sensor assembly.

In accordance with some example embodiments, a removable electronicsdevice can detect a connection of the removable electronics device witha pre-fabricated sensor assembly. For example, the removable electronicsdevice may detect that the removable electronics device is physicallycoupled to a first pre-fabricated sensor assembly comprising a firsttouch sensor having a first set of sensing elements with a first sensorlayout. The removable electronics device can obtain pre-definedparameters associated with the first touch sensor of the firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly in response to detecting the connection.The removable electronics device can be configured to detect pre-definedmotions based on the pre-defined parameters obtained in response todetecting the connection. Subsequent to configuring the removableelectronics device with pre-defined parameters associated with the firsttouch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly, the removableelectronics device can be removed from the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly and inserted into a second pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Theremovable electronics device can detect that the removable electronicsdevice is physically coupled to the second pre-fabricated sensorassembly comprising a second touch sensor having a second set of sensingelements having a second sensor layout that is different from the firstsensor layout. In response, the removable electronics module can obtainone or more second pre-defined parameters associated with the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly. The removable electronics device can bereconfigured to detect the one or more pre-defined motions based atleast in part on the one or more second pre-defined parameters.

In some examples, the removable electronics device may utilize one ormore machine learned models to detect the one or more pre-definedmotions. The removable electronics device can configure one or moremachine learned models for detecting pre-defined motions based on thepre-defined parameters associated with a particular pre-fabricatedsensor assembly. By way of example, one or more machine learned modelscan be configured with a first set of weights to detect pre-definedmotions associated with a first pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The oneor more machine learned models can be reconfigured with a second set ofweights to detect pre-defined motions associated with a secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly. In another example, one or more firstmachine learned models can be obtained to configure the removableelectronics device to detect pre-defined motions associated with a firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly. One or more second machine learnedmodels can be obtained to configure the removable electronics device todetect the pre-defined motions associated with a second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly.

The removable electronics module can include a housing that isconfigured to removably couple the removable electronics module todifferent types of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies that may beintegrated within various types of interactive objects. For example, theremovable electronics module can include one or more retaining elementsthat are configured to removably couple to the one or more retainingelements of different types of receptacles of different sensorassemblies. The removable electronics device can connect to differenttypes of receptacles, such as may be utilized for different types ofinteractive objects. In some examples, the removable electronics modulecan include a single set of retaining elements that are configured tointerface with receptacles having different form factors. By way ofexample, the removable electronics module can include retaining elementsthat are adapted to physically couple to corresponding retainingelements of receptacles having a slot-based form factor as well asreceptacles having a box-based form factor. In other examples, theremovable electronics module can include multiple sets of retainingelements with individual sets configured to interface with particularreceptacles having particular types of form factors.

In accordance with some aspects, the removable electronics device caninclude a processor, an inertial measurement unit, a first communicationinterface that is configured for data power communication with one ormore remote computing devices, and a second communication interface thatis configured for communication with a plurality of preconfigured sensorassemblies that each include a capacitive touch sensor. The variouscomponents can be at least partially disposed within the housing of theremovable electronics module. The second communication interface can beconfigured for communication with sensor assemblies having differentsensor layouts, such as sensors with different numbers of sensingelements for the capacitive touch sensor, different material types ofthe sensing element, different spacings and/or other sensor layouts ofthe sensing elements, etc.

In some examples, the housing of the removable electronics module caninclude a first opening that is disposed along a first longitudinal faceof the housing. The first communication interface can include aconnector adjacent to the first opening and that is configured tophysically and communicatively couple the removable electronic device toone or more remote computing devices. The removable electronics devicecan include a plurality of second openings disposed along the lowersurface of the housing. The second communication interface can include aplurality of contacts that are configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronic device to a pre-fabricated sensor assembly when theremovable electronic device is inserted in the receptacle of apre-fabricated sensor assembly. The contacts of the removableelectronics device can interface with receptacles having different formfactors to establish an electrical connection.

According to some aspects, the removable electronics device can includea rechargeable power source such as a rechargeable battery (e.g.,lithium-ion battery). An internal electronics device (also referred toas internal electronics module) of each pre-fabricated sensor assemblycan be powered by a power source of the removable electronics modulewhen the removable electronics module is connected to the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly. For example, an internal electronics module of eachpre-fabricated sensor assembly may include sensing circuitry that isconfigured to generate touch data in response to touch input detected ata corresponding capacitive touch sensor. The sensing circuitry can bepowered by the power source of the removable electronics device when theremovable electronics module inserted into a correspondingpre-fabricated sensor assembly.

According to some aspects of the disclosed technology, one or more ofthe contacts of the removable electronics module can be configured toprovide power from the power source of the removable electronics moduleto a pre-fabricated sensor assembly when the removable electronicsmodule is inserted into the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. At the sametime, one or more other contacts of the removable electronics module canbe configured to provide data from the removable electronics module to apre-fabricated sensor assembly when the removable electronics devicesinserted into the pre-fabricated sensor assembly.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a number of technicaleffects and benefits, particularly in the areas of interactive objects,touch sensors, computing technology, and the integration of electronicswith different types of touch sensors. Additionally, one or more aspectsof the disclosed technology may address issues that may arise whenseeking to provide a practical system and method for incorporatingsensor assemblies into interactive objects, and providing electronicsthat are capable of interfacing with the sensor assemblies of differenttypes of interactive objects. In accordance with example embodiments ofthe disclosed technology, a removable electronics device can beconfigured to interface with different types of sensor assemblies,including sensor assemblies that can include different form factors aswell as different types of touch sensors. The unique combination of ahousing adapted to interface with different form factors and electronicspreconfigured to interface with different types of capacitive touchsensors enables sensor assemblies to be widely incorporated withindifferent types of interactive objects, while providing a simple andcost efficient electronics device for interfacing with the various typesof sensor assemblies once incorporated into different types ofinteractive objects.

In some examples, different types of pre-fabricated sensor assembliescan be provided to enable tight integration within an interactiveobject. The pre-fabricated sensor assemblies can include different typesof sensors such as different types of capacitive touch sensors in someexamples. For instance, different materials may be utilized to form thesensing elements of the capacitive touch sensors, different numbers ofsensing elements may be used, different spacings between sensingelements may be utilized, etc. Such differences can enable variouspre-fabricated sensor assemblies to be integrated within a wide varietyof interactive objects, including but not limited to, interactivegarments, interactive garment accessories, interactive garmentcontainers, and other wearable devices, etc. A single removableelectronics device can be configured for physical coupling with thedifferent types of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies, and can beconfigured for communication with different types of capacitive touchsensors. In this manner, a single removable electronics device may beadapted for multiple types of interactive objects to provide acost-effective and efficient solution. In some examples, the removableelectronics device can communicate with remote computing devices such asa smart phone, tablet, laptop, cloud computing device, etc. to providean interface between the interactive object and the remote computingdevices.

According to some aspects, a removable electronics device can include ahousing having a set of retaining elements configured to physicallycouple the movable electronics device to different types of receptacleshaving different form factors. The set of retaining elements can beadapted for physical coupling with slot-based receptacles of somepreconfigured sensor assemblies as well as box-based receptacles ofother preconfigured sensor assemblies. In this manner, a suitablereceptacle can be integrated within an interactive object to facilitatecoupling with a common form factor for the removable electronics device.As such, the removable electronics device can seamlessly and efficientlyinterface with different types of interactive objects having differenttypes of receptacles for receiving the removable electronics device.

According to some aspects, the removable electronics device can beconfigured to analyze the touch data from different types ofpreconfigured sensor assemblies. For example, the removable electronicsdevice can be configured to analyze the touch data from a first type ofcapacitive touch sensor (such as including a first number of sensingelements) and a second type of capacitive touch sensor (such asincluding a second number of sensing elements). The removableelectronics device can be configured to analyze the different types oftouch data may be provided for different types pre-fabricated sensorassemblies in order to detect the same set of pre-defined motions suchas gestures. By way of example, the removable electronics device canapply different types of sensing or other detection parameters toanalyze the touch data from different types of capacitive touch sensors.In some instances, the removable electronics device can utilizedifferent machine learned model configurations to analyze the touch datafrom different types of touch sensors. Accordingly, the removableelectronics device can provide a seamless integration with differenttypes of capacitive touch sensors, including an automatic configurationfor detecting gestures from different types of capacitive touch sensors.

In accordance with example aspects of the disclosed technology, anelectronics system may include a removable electronics module, a firstinteractive object, and a second interactive object. The removableelectronics module can include one or more processors, and inertialmeasurement unit, a communication interface including a plurality ofcontacts configured for communication with a plurality of pre-fabricatedsensor assemblies, and a housing that at least partially encloses aprocessor, the inertial measurement unit, and the communicationinterface. The housing can include one or more retaining elements thatare configured to couple the removable electronics module to differenttypes of receptacles having different form factors.

The first interactive object can include a first pre-fabricated sensorassembly. The first pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a firstcapacitive touch sensor that comprises a first plurality of flexiblesensing elements. The first preconfigured sensor assembly can include afirst internal electronics device comprising first sensing circuitry inelectrical communication with the flexible sensing elements of thecapacitive touch sensor. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can includea first receptacle that has a first form factor including a firstplurality of receiving elements. The first plurality of receivingelements can be configured to removably couple to one or more retainingelements of the removable electronics module to removably connect theremovable electronics module to the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly. The first receptacle can include a first plurality of contactprotrusions that extend from a first plurality of openings in a firstbase member of the first receptacle contact the plurality of contactpads of the removable electronics device when inserted in the firstreceptacle.

The second interactive object can include a second preconfigured sensorassembly including a second capacitive touch sensor comprising a secondplurality of flexible sensing elements. The second interactive objectcan include a second internal electronics device that includes secondsensing circuitry in electrical communication with the second pluralityof flexible sensing elements. The second pre-fabricated sensor assemblycan include a second receptacle that has a second form factor includinga second plurality of receiving elements that are configured toremovably couple to the one or more retaining elements of the removableelectronics device to removably connect the removable electronics deviceto the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The second receptacle caninclude a second plurality of contact protrusions that extend from asecond plurality of openings in a second base member of the secondreceptacle. The first base member of the first receptacle can have afirst length in the longitudinal direction that is less than a secondlink of the second base member of the second receptacle in thelongitudinal direction.

In some example aspects, the present disclosure is directed to apre-fabricated sensor assembly and related manufacturing processes thatcan be applied to create interactive objects from existing objectsubstrates that have been at least partially fabricated or otherwiseformed prior to application of the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Apre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a touch sensor such as aresistive or capacitive touch sensor and sensing circuitry formed in ahousing that enables tight integration with an interactive object, whilealso being suitable for application to the interactive object after theinteractive object has been at least partially assembled. In thismanner, the pre-fabricated sensor assembly can enable physicalincorporation of the touch sensor within an interactive object, whilealso permitting traditional manufacturing processes to be used to format least a portion of the interactive object.

According to some example embodiments, a pre-fabricated sensor assemblycan include a touch sensor having a plurality of sensing elements thatare coupled to sensing circuitry of a first electronics device (e.g.,internal electronics device). One or more communication interfaces suchas a communication cable can be coupled to the electronics module tofacilitate communication with other electronic components that are localto the pre-fabricated sensor assembly and/or that are remote from theassembly, such as a smartphone or other computing device. A receptaclecan be coupled to at least one of the communication cables for removablyconnecting a second electronics module (e.g., removable electronicsdevice) to the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. One or more flexibleretaining layers can be used to define a housing for at least the touchsensor and optionally other components such as the first electronicsmodule. In some examples, the one more retaining layers can also be usedto attach the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to a substrate of anobject. For example, the one more retaining layers can be heat-pressed,sewn, glued, bonded or otherwise attached to the substrate of anexisting object so as to form interactive object therefrom. The one ormore retaining layers may be one or more encapsulating layers form froma polyurethane or other suitably flexible material. In this manner,traditional manufacturing processes may be utilized to form at least aportion of the object prior to integrating a capacitive touch sensor. Byway of example, an interactive garment including a pre-fabricated sensorassembly in accordance with example embodiments can be manufactured withminimal disruption to traditional manufacturing processes that areutilized to form garments and the like. A garment can be at leastpartially manufactured using traditional textile manufacturingprocesses, followed by attaching the pre-fabricated sensor assembly toform an interactive garment.

A pre-fabricated sensor assembly for interactive objects in accordancewith example embodiments may be contrasted with previous approaches forforming interactive objects. For example, many existing techniques seekto integrate sensing elements into a substrate such as a textile fabricprior to forming an object. For instance, some existing techniques weaveconductive threads into a fabric to form a capacitive touch sensor. Inthese approaches, a fabric with conductive threads undergoes anymanufacturing processes used to form an object such as cutting, sewing,gluing, etc. Many traditional manufacturing processes, such astraditional textile manufacturing processes, however, may not be able toprocess, or may not be as easily able to process, a substrate such as atextile fabric that has conductive sensing lines integrated within thefabric. Accordingly, such techniques may require modifications totraditional textile machinery and processes in order to be able toaccommodate conductive threads. As such, in many cases it may be not bedesirable to form sensing lines within a textile substrate that forms agarment or other interactive object, etc.

In accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, apre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a touch sensor that includesa plurality of sensing elements that are adapted for integration withinan object after at least a portion of the object has been formed. Inthis manner, traditional manufacturing processes may be utilized to format least a portion of the object prior to integration of the capacitivetouch sensor.

For example, an interactive object can be manufactured by receiving amanufactured object that includes an object substrate. The manufacturedobject can be in a form suitable for its primary purpose such as agarment that is suitable for wear, a backpack or luggage that issuitable for carrying items, etc. The manufactured object may includesub-components of objects, such as a strap or other object that isintended to be applied to other materials to form a final product.Nevertheless, the strap is suitable for its primary purpose ofattachment and providing a carrying mechanism. The manufactured objectcan include a receiving feature. The manufacturing process can includeproviding a pre-fabricated sensor assembly including one or moreflexible retaining layers, a capacitive touch sensor, a firstelectronics module, and a communication interface having a first endportion coupled to the first electronics module and a second end portioncoupled to a receptacle configured to removably connect a secondelectronics module to the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The capacitivetouch sensor can include a plurality of flexible sensing lines elongatedin a first direction and coupled to the first electronics module. Thefirst electronics module can be powered by a power source of the secondelectronics module when the second electronics module is connected tothe pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The manufacturing process caninclude attaching the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to the objectsubstrate after receiving the manufactured object.

By way of example, an interactive object can include a “soft” objectsuch as a garment, garment accessory, or garment container at leastpartially formed from a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate maybe formed of a soft material such as leather, natural fibers, syntheticfibers, or networks of such fibers. The flexible substrate may include atextile such as a woven or non-woven fabric, or other materials such asflexible plastics, films, etc. Materials may be formed by weaving,knitting, crocheting, knotting, pressing threads together orconsolidating fibers or filaments together in a nonwoven manner.Interactive objects may also include “hard” objects such as may be madefrom nonflexible or semi-flexible materials such as plastic, metal,aluminum, and so on. By utilizing flexible sensing lines with a flexibleretaining layer structure, a pre-fabricated sensor assembly inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may beincorporated or otherwise applied to at least partially formed softobjects and/or hard objects.

As a specific example, consider a garment such as a shirt or jacket thatcan be manufactured from a textile-based substrate. In such a case, awoven or non-woven fabric can be processed using traditional textilemanufacturing techniques that may include sewing, gluing, and otherfastening techniques to form the garment. The pre-fabricated sensorassembly can be attached to the garment after at least a portion of thegarment has been formed using these traditional manufacturing processes.

To apply pre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with exampleembodiments, one or more portions of a garment may be left accessible,such as by leaving an opening in a cuff of a jacket or shirt. One ormore seams that are used to form the cuff portion of the jacket may beleft open for example. The open cuff may comprise a receiving feature ofthe interactive object. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can beinserted into the opening or otherwise attached to the existing textilesubstrate that forms the interactive garment. The pre-fabricated sensorassembly can be sewn, glued, heat pressed, or attached to the jacket inanother suitable manner. After attaching the pre-fabricated sensorassembly, the one or more seams can be sewn or otherwise closed tocomplete manufacturing of the cuff for the interactive object. In thismanner, minimal disruption to the manufacturing process for making thejacket itself may occur. In some instances, additional portions of themanufacturing process can be performed after attaching thepre-fabricated capacitive sensor assembly.

As another example, the pre-fabricated sensor assembly may be attachedto the inner portion of a garment or other object without leaving anopening for inserting the assembly. For example, the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly can be affixed to the inside surface of a textile usinga heat press application, sewing application, or other mechanism toattach the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to the partially formedobject.

In accordance with some embodiments, a pre-fabricated sensor assemblymay include one or more capacitive touch sensors and one or moreelectronics modules that include sensing circuitry electrically coupledto the capacitive touch sensor. The one or more capacitive touch sensorscan each include a plurality of flexible and conductive sensing lines.The sensing lines can be formed of various flexible materials and invarious formations to provide a capacitive touch sensor that is capableof flexible integration within various types of interactive objects.

Traditionally, the use of flexible sensing lines as a post fabricationapplication has been problematic because of the ability of the sensinglines to move relative to one another. Movement of sensing linesrelative to one another may affect the ability of sensing circuitry andother components to properly detect an input. In some cases, suchmovement may even result in shorting of the sensing lines to oneanother.

By applying one or more flexible retaining layers in accordance withexample embodiments, a flexible sensor assembly can be provided in apost fabrication application while maintaining a pre-defined arrangementof the sensor elements. The flexible sensing lines can be positioned ina pre-defined arrangement, including a size and spacing relative to oneanother and/or other components of the pre-fabricated assembly prior toincorporation within an object. One or more retaining layers can beutilized to secure the plurality of sensing lines in the predeterminedarrangement. The retaining layer(s) can provide structural stability tomaintain the plurality of sensing lines in the desired arrangement.Because of their flexibility, the one or more retaining layers can alsopermit the assembly to flex as the interactive object moves and flexes.In some examples, the flexible retaining layer(s) can provide physicalseparation of the flexible sensing lines from the object substrate.

In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of sensing elements canbe formed from a multilayered flexible film to facilitate a flexiblesensing line for application to existing objects. For example, themultilayered film may include one or more flexible base layers such as aflexible textile, plastic, or other flexible material. One or more metallayers may extend over the flexible base layer(s). Optionally, one ormore passivation layers can extend over the one or more flexible baselayers and the one or more metal layer(s) to promote adhesion betweenthe metal layer(s) and the base layer(s). In accordance with someexamples, a multilayered sheet including one or more flexible baselayers, one or more metal layers, and optionally one or more passivationlayers can be formed and then cut, etched, or otherwise divided intoindividual sensing lines. Each sensing line can include a line of theone or more metal layers formed over a line of the one or more flexiblebase layers. Optionally, a sensing line can include a line of one ormore passivation layers overlying the one or more flexible base layers.

According to some embodiments, one or more adhesive layers may beapplied to the plurality of sensing lines to help maintain the sensinglines in a pre-defined arrangement and/or to couple the sensing lines toother layers. The one or more adhesive layers may be applied to a firstsurface of each sensing line or a portion of each sensing line in someexamples. The adhesive layer may be a common adhesive layer that extendsacross a surface of each of the sensing lines.

In some examples, one or more shield layers can be applied over at leasta portion of one or more of the sensing lines to selectively define atouch-sensitive area for the capacitive touch sensor. By way of example,the plurality of sensing lines for a capacitive touch sensor may extendin a first direction and a second direction that is different than thefirst direction. For instance, the plurality of sensing lines may extendin a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction that issubstantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinalportion of each conductive sensing line can be covered with one or moreshield layers to selectively define a touch-sensitive area for thecapacitive touch sensor at the portion of the sensing lines that extendsin the lateral direction. Alternatively, the lateral portion of eachconductive sensing line can be covered with the one or more shieldlayers to selectively define a touch-sensitive area at the portion ofthe sensing line that extends in the longitudinal direction. The one ormore adhesive layers can be applied over a upper surface of the one ormore sensing lines and the one or more shield layers can be applied overan upper surface of the one or more adhesive layers. Other examples ofselective formation of a touch-sensitive area utilizing one or moreshield layers can be used. In some examples, a single layer may provideelectrical shielding as well as adhesive properties.

In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of sensing lines mayeach include a first portion that extends in a first direction with aspacing therebetween in a second direction. The second direction can besubstantially orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality ofsensing lines can also extend in the second direction with a spacingtherebetween in the first direction. The first portion of each sensingline can connect to sensing circuitry while the second portion of eachsensing line can be used to form a touch-sensitive area for thecapacitive touch sensor. The spacing in the first direction can be lessthan the spacing in the second direction to enable a compact arrangementfor attaching the conductive lines to the sensing circuitry. At the sametime, the larger spacing in the second direction can facilitate a morerobust detection of touch inputs in some examples. By spacing thesensing lines appropriately, a more efficient, accurate, and/or precisedetection of touch inputs may be achieved.

In accordance with some examples, a plurality of conductive threads canform the plurality of sensing lines for a capacitive touch sensor of apre-fabricated sensor assembly. At least a portion of each conductivethread can be connected to a flexible substrate, such as by weaving,embroidering, gluing, or otherwise attaching the conductive threads tothe flexible substrate. In some examples, the conductive threads can bewoven with a plurality of non-conductive threads to form the flexiblesubstrate.

In some examples, each conductive thread may include a first loose endthat is not directly attached to the flexible substrate. Each conductivethread can include a second loose end that is opposite to the firstloose end of the conductive thread and that is also not directlyattached to the flexible substrate. In between the loose ends, eachconductive thread may include an attached portion that extends along andin attachment with the flexible substrate. The first loose end of eachconductive thread can be attached to the internal electronics module ofthe pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The second loose end of eachconductive thread can be movable relative to the flexible substrate. Insome examples, the second loose end of each conductive thread can extendbeyond an outer perimeter of the flexible substrate. In some instances,the extent of each conductive line that extends beyond the outerperimeter of the flexible substrate may be utilized as thetouch-sensitive area for a capacitive touch sensor.

In some implementations, each conductive thread can include alongitudinal portion that is attached to the flexible substrate and alateral portion that is loose from the flexible substrate and thatoptionally extends beyond the outer perimeter of the flexible substrate.The lateral portion of each conductive thread may extend in asubstantially orthogonal direction to the longitudinal portion. Thelateral portion of each conductive thread may form the touch-sensitivearea of the capacitive touch sensor. The touch-sensitive area formed bythe lateral portion of the sensing lines can be configured to receivetouch inputs such as swipe gestures provided in the longitudinaldirection. Other gestures may be detected, such as colds, swipes, etc.

In accordance with some example embodiments, a conductive thread caninclude a first portion that is attached to the flexible substrate ofthe pre-fabricated sensor assembly and a second portion that is attachedto a different substrate. By way of example, a pre-fabricated sensorassembly may be affixed to a textile substrate to form an interactivegarment. The first portion of each conductive thread can be attached toa flexible substrate such as a first textile fabric within thepre-fabricated sensor assembly. The second portion of each conductivethread can be attached to the core substrate of the interactive garmentsuch as the textile substrate from which the interactive garment itselfis formed. Various techniques may be utilized to attach the secondportion of each conductive thread to the interactive garment substrate.For instance, the second portion of each conductive thread can beattached to the interactive garment using an embroidery technique whichmay be particularly suitable to application of the conductive thread toan object that has already been fabricated. Other techniques such asgluing, taping, bonding and the like may be used.

In some implementations, one or more shield layers can be utilized toform a first capacitive touch sensor and a second capacitive touchsensor from a plurality of flexible sensing lines. A first capacitivetouch sensor can include a first subset of the plurality of flexiblesensing lines and a second capacitive touch sensor can include a secondsubset of the plurality of flexible sensing lines. Each flexible sensingline of the first subset can include a first portion that is elongatedin a first direction and a second portion that is elongated and a seconddirection. Each flexible sensing line of the second subset can include afirst portion that is elongated in the first direction and can alsoinclude a second portion. One or more shield layers can be formed overthe first portion of each flexible sensing light of the first subset.One or more sensing circuits can be physically coupled to the firstsubset and the second subset of the plurality of flexible sensing lines.In this manner, the second portion of each flexible sensing line of thefirst subset can form a touch-sensitive area for the first capacitivetouch sensor. Additionally, the second portion of each flexible sensingline of the second subset can form a touch-sensitive area for the secondcapacitive touch sensor. In some examples, the one or more shield layerscan overlie the first portion of the flexible sensing line of the secondsubset of the plurality of flexible something lines. The second portionof each flexible sensing line of the second subset can be elongated andthe second direction or the first direction.

Although much of the disclosure is described with respect to capacitivetouch sensors, it will be appreciated that any type of sensor may beincluded in a pre-fabricated sensory assembly as described. For example,resistive touch sensors can be formed in a similar manner to capacitivetouch sensors as described. Other types of sensors such as inertialmeasurement units, strain gauges, ultrasonic sensors, radar-based touchinterfaces, image-based sensors, infrared sensors, etc. can be used.

The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include one or more flexibleretaining layers that define a housing for the plurality of sensinglines that form the capacitive touch sensor. The housing canadditionally hold other components of the pre-fabricated sensorassembly, such as the internal electronics module. By including theplurality of sensing lines within a housing created by the one or moreflexible retaining layers, the plurality of sensing lines for thecapacitive touch sensor can be provided in a pre-defined sensor layout.Moreover, by utilizing flexible layers, the capacitive touch sensor canremain flexible to enable subsequent integration within a variety ofinteractive objects. Furthermore, the pre-fabricated sensor assembly maybe integrated within flexible objects such as an interactive garment ina manner that enables the capacitive touch sensor to remain flexiblewith the interactive garment. In some examples, the flexible retaininglayers can form a water-tight housing. In some examples, the flexibleretaining layers can form a hermetically-sealed housing.

According to some example implementations, the interactive object caninclude an internal electronics module that is integrated within aninteractive object. The plurality of sensing elements can be directlyattached to the internal electronics module or can be attached to theinternal electronics module via one or more connector components. Theinternal electronics module can provide power and/or control signals tothe plurality of sensing lines. The internal electronics module may notinclude an on-board power source in some embodiments. Instead, aremovable electronics module removably coupled via a receptacle of thepre-fabricated sensor assembly can supply power to the internalelectronics module.

In some examples, the internal electronics module can include sensingcircuitry for the plurality of sensing lines. The internal electronicsmodule can include a first subset of electronic components, such as oneor more drivers configured to provide control signals and/or power tothe plurality of sensing lines. The internal electronics module in someexamples includes a controller that is configured to generate controlsignals for the for the plurality of sensing lines and to detect changesin capacitance based on objects approaching or coming in contact withthe plurality of sensing lines. In some examples, the internalelectronics module includes a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). Theprinted circuit board can include a set of contact pads and/or one ormore ports for attaching to one or more communication cables. In someexamples, the printed circuit board includes a microprocessor. A portionof the PCB (e.g., including the microprocessor) can be overmolded with apolymer composition.

In some embodiments, a removable electronics module that includes asecond subset of electronic components (e.g., a microprocessor, powersource, or network interface) can be removably coupled to theinteractive object via a communication interface. The communicationinterface enables communication between the internal electronics moduleand the removable electronics module when the removable electronicsmodule is coupled to the interactive object. In example embodiments, theremovable electronics module can be removably mounted to a rigid memberon the interactive object such as a receptacle. A receptacle can includea connecting device for physically and electrically coupling to theremovable electronics module. The internal electronics module can be incommunication with the receptacle. The internal electronics module canbe configured to communicate with the removable electronics module whenconnected to the receptacle. A controller of the removable electronicsmodule can receive information and send commands to the internalelectronics module. A communication interface is configured to enablecommunication between the internal electronics module and the controllerwhen the receptacle is coupled to the removable electronics module. Forexample, the communication interface may include a network interfaceintegral with the removable electronics module. The removableelectronics module can also include a rechargeable power source. Theremovable electronics module can be removable from the interactiveobject for charging the power source. Once the power source is charged,the removable electronics module can then be placed back into theinteractive object and electrically coupled to the connector.

According to some embodiments, a touch sensor formed from one or moresets of sensing elements such as conductive threads or lines formed fromone or more conductive films can be coupled to the internal electronicsmodule that is integrated into the interactive object. The set(s) ofsensing elements can be directly attached to the internal electronicsmodule or can be attached to the internal electronics module via one ormore connector components.

The internal electronics module can include electronic components, suchas sensing circuitry configured to detect touch-input to the conductivelines. The sensing circuitry in some examples includes a controller thatis configured to detect a touch-input when user pressure is applied tothe conductive threads, for example. The controller can also detect atouch input when an object comes in contact with or approaches a sensingline. The controller can be configured to communicate the touch-inputdata to a computing device. In some examples, the controller includes aflexible printed circuit board (PCB). The printed circuit board caninclude a set of electrical contacts such as contact pads for attachingto the sensing lines.

Touch inputs provided via a resistive or capacitive touch sensor asdescribed may include various applications and capabilities. By way ofexample, a touch sensor may be used as a button to detect a simple touchinput at a location of the touch sensor. In some examples, aone-dimensional array of sensing lines may be used to implement a touchsensor that can detect a button-type input. A one-dimensional array ofsensing lines may also be used to detect a one-dimensional swipe input(e.g., movement in a single direction corresponding to the spacingbetween threads). In some examples, a two-dimensional array of sensinglines may be used to implement a touch sensor that can detect trackpadinputs, including a specific location of a touch within a grid ofconductive threads. Additionally, a two-dimensional array of sensinglines may be used to detect various gesture inputs, authenticationinputs, pre-defined keystrokes, movements, user-specific naturalbehaviors and the like. One or more machine-learned models may be usedto detect user inputs based on training the machine-learned models usingtraining data. Additionally, the touch sensor may be configured todetect analog and pseudo-force inputs from a capacitive change caused bya finger distance.

According to some aspects, the pre-fabricated sensor assembly can beresponsive to inputs received via an external computing device (e.g.,smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). The external computing device can becommunicatively coupled to the interactive object using one or morewireless and/or wired interfaces. A gesture manager can be implementedon the computing device to store mappings between gestures andfunctionalities of the computing device. A functionality mapped to agesture can be initiated in response to detecting the gesture at thecapacitive touch sensor. The interactive object can be responsive togestures detected by the internal electronics module, removableelectronics module, remote computing device, or any combination of theabove.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a number of technicaleffects and benefits, particularly in the areas of computing technology,capacitive touch sensors, and the integration of capacitive touchsensors including related electronics with interactive objects such asgarments. Additionally, one or more aspects of the disclosed technologymay address issues that may arise when seeking to provide a practicalsystem and method for incorporating input devices such as capacitivetouch sensors into existing objects such as garments and the like. Inaccordance with example embodiments of the disclosed technology, apre-fabricated sensor assembly can uniquely provide a flexiblearchitecture that can be utilized subsequent to processing at least aportion of the base substrate of an object. In this manner, sensinglines are not necessarily incorporated directly within the objectsubstrate, but instead can be flexibly applied to the object substrateafter at least some processing of the substrate. The unique combinationof a set of flexible sensing lines that are housed within one or moreflexible retaining layers enables a capacitive touch sensor to betightly integrated within an object, without requiring the sensing linesof the capacitive touch sensor to be integrated with the substrate ofthe object. Moreover, the flexible retaining layer(s) enable apost-processing attachment of the capacitive touch sensor to therebycreate interactive objects from existing structures. Further, theflexible retaining layers can maintain the plurality of sensing lines ina pre-defined arrangement or sensor layout. This can enable flexiblesensing lines to be used while also maintaining the sensing lines in aknown and defined arrangement to provide adequate sensing capabilities.

In some examples, a set of conductive lines may include a multilayeredfilm including a flexible base layer, one or more metal layers, andoptionally one or more passivation layers. For example, anelectromagnetic field shielding fabric can be used. These fabrics may bereferred to as EMI fabrics. The metal layer(s) include at least one of acopper layer, a silver layer, or a gold layer. These conductive linesmay be formed within a housing defined by one or more flexible retaininglayer. In some examples, the plurality of conductive lines may be formedon a common flexible substrate which in some instances may include anadhesive layer. A multilayered structure may enable a flexible metalline to be provided that is suitable for integration within interactiveobject such as garments, garment accessories, garment containers, andthe like.

In some examples, a set of conductive lines may include a set ofconductive threads. The set of conductive threads may be attached to aflexible substrate, such as by weaving at least a portion of each of theconductive threads with a plurality of non-conductive threads to form aflexible textile base substrate. The set of conductive threads includingthe flexible substrate can be provided within a housing created by oneor more retaining layers to maintain the set of conductive threads in apre-defined arrangement. In some examples, the set of conductive threadscan be selectively attached to the flexible substrate such that at leasta portion of each conductive thread is loose from the flexiblesubstrate. This can enable unique configurations and arrangements of thecapacitive touch sensor including selectively defined touch-sensitiveareas where touch inputs are to be received.

These unique arrangements, including but not limited to flexible sensinglines and flexible retaining layers, provide a practical device that canbe incorporated within existing manufacturing technologies and otherprocesses. Such approaches may overcome issues related to the high costand disruptive nature of incorporating sensing lines within thesubstrate of existing structures. For instance, existing textile andother manufacturing processes may be utilized with the application of apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments.

With reference now to the figures, example aspects of the presentdisclosure will be discussed in greater detail.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example environment 100 in which aninteractive object with multiple electronics modules can be implemented.Environment 100 includes a touch sensor 102 (e.g., capacitive orresistive touch sensor), or other sensor. Touch sensor 102 is shown asbeing integrated within various interactive objects 104. Touch sensor102 may include one or more sensing elements such as conductive threadsor other sensing lines that are configured to detect a touch input. Insome examples, a capacitive touch sensor can be formed from aninteractive textile which is a textile that is configured to sensemulti-touch-input. As described herein, a textile corresponds to anytype of flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural orartificial fibers, often referred to as thread or yarn. Textiles may beformed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, pressing threadstogether or consolidating fibers or filaments together in a nonwovenmanner. A capacitive touch sensor can be formed from any suitableconductive material and in other manners, such as by using flexibleconductive lines including metal lines, filaments, etc. attached to anon-woven substrate.

In environment 100, interactive objects 104 include “flexible” objects,such as a shirt 104-1, a hat 104-2, a handbag 104-3 and a shoe 104-6. Itis to be noted, however, that touch sensor 102 may be integrated withinany type of flexible object made from fabric or a similar flexiblematerial, such as garments or articles of clothing, garment accessories,garment containers, blankets, shower curtains, towels, sheets, bedspreads, or fabric casings of furniture, to name just a few. Examples ofgarment accessories may include sweat-wicking elastic bands to be wornaround the head, wrist, or bicep. Other examples of garment accessoriesmay be found in various wrist, arm, shoulder, knee, leg, and hip bracesor compression sleeves. Headwear is another example of a garmentaccessory, e.g. sun visors, caps, and thermal balaclavas. Examples ofgarment containers may include waist or hip pouches, backpacks,handbags, satchels, hanging garment bags, and totes. Garment containersmay be worn or carried by a user, as in the case of a backpack, or mayhold their own weight, as in rolling luggage. Touch sensor 102 may beintegrated within flexible objects 104 in a variety of different ways,including weaving, sewing, gluing, and so forth.

In this example, objects 104 further include “hard” objects, such as aplastic cup 104-4 and a hard smart phone casing 104-5. It is to benoted, however, that hard objects 104 may include any type of “hard” or“rigid” object made from non-flexible or semi-flexible materials, suchas plastic, metal, aluminum, and so on. For example, hard objects 104may also include plastic chairs, water bottles, plastic balls, or carparts, to name just a few. In another example, hard objects 104 may alsoinclude garment accessories such as chest plates, helmets, goggles, shinguards, and elbow guards. Alternatively, the hard or semi-flexiblegarment accessory may be embodied by a shoe, cleat, boot, or sandal.Touch sensor 102 may be integrated within hard objects 104 using avariety of different manufacturing processes. In one or moreimplementations, injection molding is used to integrate touch sensorsinto hard objects 104.

Touch sensor 102 enables a user to control an object 104 with which thetouch sensor 102 is integrated, or to control a variety of othercomputing devices 106 via a network 110. Computing devices 106 areillustrated with various non-limiting example devices: server 106-1,smart phone 106-2, laptop 106-3, computing spectacles 106-4, television106-5, camera 106-6, tablet 106-7, desktop 106-8, and smart watch 106-9,though other devices may also be used, such as home automation andcontrol systems, sound or entertainment systems, home appliances,security systems, netbooks, and e-readers. Note that computing device106 can be wearable (e.g., computing spectacles and smart watches),non-wearable but mobile (e.g., laptops and tablets), or relativelyimmobile (e.g., desktops and servers). Computing device 106 may be alocal computing device, such as a computing device that can be accessedover a bluetooth connection, near-field communication connection, orother local-network connection. Computing device 106 may be a remotecomputing device, such as a computing device of a cloud computingsystem.

Network 110 includes one or more of many types of wireless or partlywireless communication networks, such as a local-area-network (LAN), awireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network (PAN), awide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a peer-to-peernetwork, point-to-point network, a mesh network, and so forth.

Touch sensor 102 can interact with computing devices 106 by transmittingtouch data or other sensor data through network 110. Additionally oralternatively, touch sensor 102 may transmit gesture data, movementdata, or other data derived from sensor data generated by the touchsensor 102. Computing device 106 can use the touch data to controlcomputing device 106 or applications at computing device 106. As anexample, consider that touch sensor 102 integrated at shirt 104-1 may beconfigured to control the user's smart phone 106-2 in the user's pocket,television 106-5 in the user's home, smart watch 106-9 on the user'swrist, or various other appliances in the user's house, such asthermostats, lights, music, and so forth. For example, the user may beable to swipe up or down on touch sensor 102 integrated within theuser's shirt 104-1 to cause the volume on television 106-5 to go up ordown, to cause the temperature controlled by a thermostat in the user'shouse to increase or decrease, or to turn on and off lights in theuser's house. Note that any type of touch, tap, swipe, hold, or strokegesture may be recognized by touch sensor 102.

In more detail, consider FIG. 2 which illustrates an example system 190that includes an interactive object 104, a removable electronics module150, and a computing device 106. In system 190, touch sensor 102 isintegrated in an object 104, which may be implemented as a flexibleobject (e.g., shirt 104-1, hat 104-2, or handbag 104-3) or a hard object(e.g., plastic cup 104-4 or smart phone casing 104-5).

Touch sensor 102 is configured to sense touch-input from a user when oneor more fingers of the user's hand touch or approach touch sensor 102.Touch sensor 102 may be configured as a capacitive touch sensor orresistive touch sensor to sense single-touch, multi-touch, and/orfull-hand touch-input from a user. To enable the detection oftouch-input, touch sensor 102 includes sensing elements 108. Sensingelements may include various shapes and geometries. In some examples,sensing elements 108 can be formed as a grid, array, or parallel patternof sensing lines so as to detect touch input. In some implementations,the sensing elements 108 do not alter the flexibility of touch sensor102, which enables touch sensor 102 to be easily integrated withininteractive objects 104.

Interactive object 104 includes an internal electronics module 124 (alsoreferred to as internal electronics device) that is embedded withininteractive object 104 and is directly coupled to sensing elements 108.Internal electronics module 124 can be communicatively coupled to aremovable electronics module 150 (also referred to as a removableelectronics device) via a communication interface 162. Internalelectronics module 124 contains a first subset of electronic circuits orcomponents for the interactive object 104, and removable electronicsmodule 150 contains a second, different, subset of electronic circuitsor components for the interactive object 104. As described herein, theinternal electronics module 124 may be physically and permanentlyembedded within interactive object 104, whereas the removableelectronics module 150 may be removably coupled to interactive object104.

In system 190, the electronic components contained within the internalelectronics module 124 includes sensing circuitry 126 that is coupled tosensing elements 108 that form the touch sensor 102. In some examples,the internal electronics module includes a flexible printed circuitboard (PCB). The printed circuit board can include a set of contact padsfor attaching to the conductive lines. In some examples, the printedcircuit board includes a microprocessor. For example, wires fromconductive threads may be connected to sensing circuitry 126 usingflexible PCB, creping, gluing with conductive glue, soldering, and soforth. In one embodiment, the sensing circuitry 126 can be configured todetect a user-inputted touch-input on the conductive threads that ispre-programmed to indicate a certain request. In one embodiment, whenthe conductive threads form a grid or other pattern, sensing circuitry126 can be configured to also detect the location of the touch-input onsensing element 108, as well as motion of the touch-input. For example,when an object, such as a user's finger, touches sensing element 108,the position of the touch can be determined by sensing circuitry 126 bydetecting a change in capacitance on the grid or array of sensingelement 108. The touch-input may then be used to generate touch datausable to control a computing device 106. For example, the touch-inputcan be used to determine various gestures, such as single-finger touches(e.g., touches, taps, and holds), multi-finger touches (e.g., two-fingertouches, two-finger taps, two-finger holds, and pinches), single-fingerand multi-finger swipes (e.g., swipe up, swipe down, swipe left, swiperight), and full-hand interactions (e.g., touching the textile with auser's entire hand, covering textile with the user's entire hand,pressing the textile with the user's entire hand, palm touches, androlling, twisting, or rotating the user's hand while touching thetextile).

Internal electronics module 124 can include various types ofelectronics, such as sensing circuitry 126, sensors (e.g., capacitivetouch sensors woven into the garment, microphones, or accelerometers),output devices (e.g., LEDs, speakers, or micro-displays), electricalcircuitry, and so forth. Removable electronics module 150 can includevarious electronics that are configured to connect and/or interface withthe electronics of internal electronics module 124. Generally, theelectronics contained within removable electronics module 150 aredifferent than those contained within internal electronics module 124,and may include electronics such as microprocessor 152, power source 154(e.g., a battery), memory 155, network interface 156 (e.g., Bluetooth,WiFi, USB), sensors (e.g., accelerometers, heart rate monitors,pedometers, IMUs), output devices (e.g., speakers, LEDs), and so forth.

In some examples, removable electronics module 150 is implemented as astrap or tag that contains the various electronics. The strap or tag,for example, can be formed from a material such as rubber, nylon,plastic, metal, or any other type of fabric. Notably, however, removableelectronics module 150 may take any type of form. For example, ratherthan being a strap, removable electronics module 150 could resemble acircular or square piece of material (e.g., rubber or nylon).

The inertial measurement unit(s) (IMU(s)) 158 can generate sensor dataindicative of a position, velocity, and/or an acceleration of theinteractive object. The IMU(s) 158 may generate one or more outputsdescribing one or more three-dimensional motions of the interactiveobject 104. The IMU(s) may be secured to the internal electronics module124, for example, with zero degrees of freedom, either removably orirremovably, such that the inertial measurement unit translates and isreoriented as the interactive object 104 is translated and arereoriented. In some embodiments, the inertial measurement unit(s) 158may include a gyroscope or an accelerometer (e.g., a combination of agyroscope and an accelerometer), such as a three axis gyroscope oraccelerometer configured to sense rotation and acceleration along andabout three, generally orthogonal axes. In some embodiments, theinertial measurement unit(s) may include a sensor configured to detectchanges in velocity or changes in rotational velocity of the interactiveobject and an integrator configured to integrate signals from the sensorsuch that a net movement may be calculated, for instance by a processorof the inertial measurement unit, based on an integrated movement aboutor along each of a plurality of axes.

Communication interface 162 enables the transfer of power and data(e.g., the touch-input detected by sensing circuitry 126) between theinternal electronics module 124 and the removable electronics module260. In some implementations, communication interface 162 may beimplemented as a connector that includes a connector plug and aconnector receptacle. The connector plug may be implemented at theremovable electronics module 150 and is configured to connect to theconnector receptacle, which may be implemented at the interactive object104. One or more communication interface(s) may be included in someexamples. For instance, a first communication interface may physicallycouple the removable electronics module 150 to one or more computingdevices 106, and a second communication interface may physically couplethe removable electronics module 150 to interactive object 104.

In system 190, the removable electronics module 150 includes amicroprocessor 152, power source 154, and network interface 156. Powersource 154 may be coupled, via communication interface 162, to sensingcircuitry 126 to provide power to sensing circuitry 126 to enable thedetection of touch-input, and may be implemented as a small battery.When touch-input is detected by sensing circuitry 126 of the internalelectronics module 124, data representative of the touch-input may becommunicated, via communication interface 162, to microprocessor 152 ofthe removable electronics module 150. Microprocessor 152 may thenanalyze the touch-input data to generate one or more control signals,which may then be communicated to a computing device 106 (e.g., a smartphone, server, cloud computing infrastructure, etc.) via the networkinterface 156 to cause the computing device to initiate a particularfunctionality. Generally, network interfaces 156 are configured tocommunicate data, such as touch data, over wired, wireless, or opticalnetworks to computing devices. By way of example and not limitation,network interfaces 156 may communicate data over a local-area-network(LAN), a wireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network(PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth™), a wide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, theInternet, a peer-to-peer network, point-to-point network, a meshnetwork, and the like (e.g., through network 110 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

Object 104 may also include one or more output devices 127 configured toprovide a haptic response, a tactical response, an audio response, avisual response, or some combination thereof. Similarly, removableelectronics module 150 may include one or more output devices 159configured to provide a haptic response, tactical response, and audioresponse, a visual response, or some combination thereof. Output devicesmay include visual output devices, such as one or more light-emittingdiodes (LEDs), audio output devices such as one or more speakers, one ormore tactile output devices, and/or one or more haptic output devices.In some examples, the one or more output devices are formed as part ofremovable electronics module, although this is not required. In oneexample, an output device can include one or more LEDs configured toprovide different types of output signals. For example, the one or moreLEDs can be configured to generate a circular pattern of light, such asby controlling the order and/or timing of individual LED activations.Other lights and techniques may be used to generate visual patternsincluding circular patterns. In some examples, one or more LEDs mayproduce different colored light to provide different types of visualindications. Output devices may include a haptic or tactile outputdevice that provides different types of output signals in the form ofdifferent vibrations and/or vibration patterns. In yet another example,output devices may include a haptic output device such as may tighten orloosen an interactive garment with respect to a user. For example, aclamp, clasp, cuff, pleat, pleat actuator, band (e.g., contractionband), or other device may be used to adjust the fit of a garment on auser (e.g., tighten and/or loosen). In some examples, an interactivetextile may be configured to tighten a garment such as by actuatingconductive threads within the touch sensor 102.

A motion manager 161 is capable of interacting with applications atcomputing devices 106 and touch sensor 102 effective to aid, in somecases, control of applications through touch-input received by touchsensor 102. For example, motion manager 161 can interact withapplications. In FIG. 2, motion manager 161 is illustrated asimplemented at removable electronics module 150. It will be appreciated,however, that motion manager 161 may be implemented at internalelectronics module 124, a computing device 106 remote from theinteractive object, or some combination thereof. A motion manager may beimplemented as a standalone application in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, a motion manager may be incorporated with one or moreapplications at a computing device.

A gesture or other predetermined motion can be determined based on touchdata detected by the touch sensor 102 and/or an inertial measurementunit 158 or other sensor. For example, motion manager 161 can determinea gesture based on touch data, such as single-finger touch gesture, adouble-tap gesture, a two-finger touch gesture, a swipe gesture, and soforth. As another example, motion manager 161 can determine a gesturebased on movement data such as a velocity, acceleration, etc. as can bedetermined by inertial measurement unit 158.

A functionality associated with a gesture can be determined by motionmanager 161 and/or an application at a computing device. In someexamples, it is determined whether the touch data corresponds to arequest to perform a particular functionality. For example, the motionmanager determines whether touch data corresponds to a user input orgesture that is mapped to a particular functionality, such as initiatinga vehicle service, triggering a text message or other notificationassociated with a vehicle service, answering a phone call, creating ajournal entry, and so forth. As described throughout, any type of userinput or gesture may be used to trigger the functionality, such asswiping, tapping, or holding touch sensor 102. In one or moreimplementations, a motion manager enables application developers orusers to configure the types of user input or gestures that can be usedto trigger various different types of functionalities. For example, amotion manager can cause a particular functionality to be performed,such as by sending a text message or other communication, answering aphone call, creating a journal entry, increase the volume on atelevision, turn on lights in the user's house, open the automaticgarage door of the user's house, and so forth.

While internal electronics module 124 and removable electronics module150 are illustrated and described as including specific electroniccomponents, it is to be appreciated that these modules may be configuredin a variety of different ways. For example, in some cases, electroniccomponents described as being contained within internal electronicsmodule 124 may be at least partially implemented at the removableelectronics module 150, and vice versa. Furthermore, internalelectronics module 124 and removable electronics module 150 may includeelectronic components other that those illustrated in FIG. 2, such assensors, light sources (e.g., LED's), displays, speakers, and so forth.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a computing environment including aplurality of interactive objects in which a removable electronics module150 may be removably inserted and removed. In FIG. 3, removableelectronics module 150 may be removably inserted into an interactivebackpack 104-7, an interactive shoe 104-6, an interactive wand 104-8,and an interactive cup 104-9 or mug. It will be appreciated that thedepicted interactive objects are provided by way of example only.Removable electronics module 150 may be removably inserted into anynumber and type of interactive objects. Interactive backpack 104-7 andinteractive shoe 104-6 are examples of soft interactive objects in whicha removable electronics module 150 may be removably inserted. Wand 104-8and mug 104-9 are examples of hard interactive objects in which aremovable electronics module 150 may be removably inserted. Eachinteractive object includes a receiving feature 105 such as a receptacleconfigured to removably receive the removable electronics module 150.

The receiving feature 105 at each interactive object may include adifferent form factor that is adapted to the particular interactiveobject. In some examples, a receiving feature 105 may include areceptacle having a slot based form factor in which the removableelectronics module 150 may be physically coupled to the receptacle byinsertion in a single slot direction. In other examples, a receivingfeature 105 may include a receptacle having a box based form factor inwhich the removable electronics module 150 may be physically coupled tothe receptacle by insertion in both a longitudinal and verticaldirection. Other types of form factors may be used.

In some examples, the receiving feature 105 at an interactive object mayinclude electrical contacts for establishing an electrical connectionwith the removable electronics module. For example, an interactiveobject 104 may include one or more touch sensors and/or internalelectronics modules coupled to the electrical contacts. Interactivebackpack 104-7, for instance, may include a receptacle receiving feature105 that includes a form factor that is configured to physically coupleto removable electronics module 150 when inserted. Additionally, thereceptacle receiving feature can include one or more contacts configuredto provide an electrical connection between the removable electronicsmodule 150 and one or more electronic components of the interactiveobject. For example, receiving feature 105 may include a set of contactpads configured to contact a set of contact pads of removableelectronics module 150. In some examples, each receiving feature mayinclude one or more retaining elements configured to couple with one ormore retaining elements of the removable electronics module 150.

In some examples, the receiving feature 105 at an interactive object mayinclude one or more retaining elements without including electricalcontacts for establishing an electrical connection. For instance, someinteractive objects may not include a touch sensor or internalelectronics module to which the removable electronics module is to beelectrically connected when inserted. For example, an interactive shoe104-6 may include a receiving feature 105 that is configured to securelyhouse removable electronics module 150 when inserted into the shoe, butthat does not include electrical contacts. Removable electronics module150 can be used to generate motion data such as from an inertialmeasurement unit of removable electronics module 150. Additionally oralternatively, removable electronics module 150 may be configured toprovide one or more outputs such as audible outputs, visual outputs,and/or haptic output in response to inputs from a remote computingdevice for example. In such instances, the receiving feature 105 may notnecessarily include electrical contacts.

FIGS. 4-7 depict an example of a removable electronics module 150 inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 isa top perspective view of the removable electronics module, FIG. 5 is abottom perspective view of the removable electronics module, FIG. 6 is afirst side perspective view of the removable electronics module, andFIG. 7 is a second side perspective view of the removable electronicsmodule. Removable electronics module 150 can define a longitudinal axis201, a lateral axis 203, and a transverse or vertical axis 205.Removable electronics module 150 includes a housing that defines anupper surface 202, a lower surface 204, a first lateral surface 206, afirst longitudinal surface 208, a second longitudinal surface 210, and asecond lateral surface 212. An input device 218 such as a button isprovided to receive user input in some examples. The housing may includeone or more members that define the surfaces of the housing. By way ofexample, the housing can be a composite of different components or canbe a non-composite structure. The housing can include rounded edges insome examples to provide a device having an enhanced ergonomiccapability for use by a user as well as to promote ease of insertion andremoval from receptacles.

Removable electronics module 150 can include a first communicationinterface comprising a connector 242 that is configured to physicallyand communicatively couple the removable electronics device to a remotecomputing device. The first communication interface is an example of awired communication interface 162. The first communication interface canbe formed adjacent to an opening in the first longitudinal surface 208in example embodiments. In example embodiments, a removable cable suchas a USB cable can be inserted into connector 242 and attached to theremote computing device to establish a physical and communicativeconnection between the removable electronics module and the remotecomputing device. Connector 242 can both physically couple the removableelectronics module to the remote computing device (e.g., via aconnecting cable) as well as communicatively couple the removableelectronics module to the remote computing device. In exampleembodiments, removable electronics module 150 can include a power source(e.g., power source 154) such as a battery that can be charged viaconnector 242 of the first communication interface. Removableelectronics module 150 can establish both a communicative and a powercoupling to a remote computing device via connector 242. In someexamples, connector 242 may be implemented at the USB type interface, amicro USB type interface, or other type of interface.

Removable electronics module 150 can include a second communicationinterface that is configured to communicatively couple and/or physicallycouple removable electronics device to various preconfigured sensorassembly of interactive objects. The second communication interface isan example of a wired network interface 156 in some examples. In exampleembodiments, the second communication interface can include one or morecontact pads 222. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower surface 204 ofremovable electronics module 150 can include a plurality of openingsthat expose a plurality of contact pads 222. In the example of FIG. 5,removable electronics module 150 includes 6 electrical contact pads222-1, 222-2, 222-3, 222-4, 222-5, 222-6, however, any number ofelectrical contact pads may be used. In some examples, an upper surfaceof each of the electrical contact pads can be recessed relative to thelower surface 204 of the removable electronics module 150. For instance,lower surface 204 can include a plurality of openings such thatelectrical contact pads 222 can be formed on an underside of the lowersurface 204 where they are accessible via the openings of the lowersurface 204. An upper surface of each of the plurality of contact padscan define a plane that is lower in a vertical direction from a planedefined by the bottom surface of the removable electronic device.

Removable electronics module 150 can include a plurality of retainingelements 232. The plurality of retaining elements can be configured toremovably couple the removable electronics device to a receptacle of apreconfigured sensor assembly of an interactive object. In someexamples, the plurality of retaining elements can be configured toremovably couple the removable electronics module 150 to different typesof receptacles of different preconfigured sensor assemblies. Forexample, the plurality of retaining elements can be configured toremovably couple the removable electronics module 150 to receptacleshaving a slot-based formed factor, receptacles having a tub or box-basedform factor, or receptacles having other form factors.

Removable electronics module 150 includes a first retaining element232-1 disposed along the first longitudinal surface 208, a secondretaining element 232-2 disposed along the second longitudinal surface210, and a third retaining element 232-3 disposed along the firstlateral surface 206. The first retaining element 232-1, the secondretaining element 232-2, and the third retaining element 232-3 can beindent retaining elements in example embodiments. For instance, eachretaining element can be recessed relative to the respective surface inwhich it is formed. In this manner, each retaining element can beconfigured to receive a corresponding retaining element such as a detentretaining element provided on a corresponding surface of a receptacle orother receiving feature. First retaining element 232-1 and secondretaining element 232-2 can have a circular cross-sectional shape inexample embodiments, and third retaining element 232-3 can have anovular or rectangular cross-sectional shape in example embodiments. Itis noted that more or fewer than three retaining elements may be used inexample embodiments, and that retaining elements of different shapes canbe used.

FIGS. 8-10 depict an example of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 inaccordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8and 9 depict a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view ofsensor assembly 300, respectively. FIG. 10 depicts a top view showingadditional details of touch sensor 302. Sensor assembly 300 includes atouch sensor 302, an internal electronics module 124, a receptacle 330,a communication cable 320, and a communication cable 322. Touch sensor302 is one example of a touch sensor 102 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, and can be configured as a capacitive touch sensor or resistive touchsensor in example embodiments.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 includes a touch sensor 302 that isformed from a plurality of conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12.Conductive threads 308-1 to 308-12 are one example of sensing elements108. Conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12 extend in a lateraldirection parallel to a lateral axis 203 defined by the touch sensor302. Conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12 include a curved section351 that connects a first lateral section 357 of each conductive threadto a longitudinal section 353 of each conductive thread that extends ina direction parallel to longitudinal axis 201. The first lateral section357 of each conductive thread is attached to substrate 332, while asecond lateral section 359 of each conductive thread extends beyond anouter perimeter of the substrate 332 to form loose portion of eachconductive thread. The longitudinal section 353 can extend in a firstdirection (e.g., longitudinal) at a first portion of the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly and the lateral section can extend in a second direction(e.g., lateral) at a second portion of the pre-fabricated sensorassembly. The first direction and the second direction can besubstantially orthogonal. The conductive threads are coupled to aconnecting ribbon 314 in some examples, which can be utilized toposition the conductive lines for connection to a plurality ofelectrical contact pads (not shown) of internal electronics module 124.The plurality of conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12 can becollected and organized using a ribbon with a pitch that matches acorresponding pitch of connection points of an electronic component suchas a component of internal electronics module 124.

Internal electronics module 124 may include sensing circuitry (notshown) in electrical communication with the plurality of conductivethreads 308-1 through 308-12. Internal electronics module 124 mayinclude one or more communication ports. In the example of FIGS. 8-10,internal electronics module 124 includes a communication port 326 and acommunication port 328. Communication port 326 is coupled to a first endportion of the communications cable 320. Communications cable 320 canform a portion of a communication interface 162 as shown in FIG. 2.Communication cable 320 includes a second end portion that is coupled toa receptacle 330. Receptacle 330 is configured to removably connect aremovable electronics module 150 (not shown) to the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 300 via communication cable 320. Receptacle 330 may bemanufactured from a plastic, metal, polymer, or other suitable material.Receptacle 330 can include one or more electrical contact pads 382 forelectrically coupling the removable electronics module to thepre-fabricated sensor assembly 300. Communication port 328 is coupled toa first end portion of the communications cable 322. Communication cable322 can form a portion of the communication interface 162 as shown inFIG. 2. Communication cable 322 includes a second end portion that iscoupled to an output device 323. Output device 323 is one example of anoutput device 127 depicted in FIG. 2. Output device 323 may include anaudible output device such as a speaker, a visual output device such asa light (e.g., LED), or a haptic output device such as a haptic motor.Any suitable type of output device may be provided as output device 323.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 may include one or more flexibleretaining layers 310. In some examples, the one or more flexibleretaining layers 310 can include an upper flexible retaining layer and alower flexible retaining layer. Between the flexible retaining layerscan be formed the set of conductive threads 308. In some examples,internal electronics module 124 and/or a portion of communication cable320 can be formed between the flexible retaining layers. In someexamples, a single flexible retaining layer 310 may be utilized whilestill forming a housing for enclosing the touch sensor 302 andoptionally other components such as internal electronics module 124. Forinstance, a single flexible retaining layer 310 may be folded with thetouch sensor 302 and internal electronics module 124 formedtherebetween.

The one or more flexible retaining layers can at least partiallysurround the capacitive touch sensor in some examples. In otherexamples, the one or more flexible retaining layers can at leastpartially surround the first electronics module and the plurality ofconductive threads of the capacitive touch sensor. The communicationcable can extend from within the housing of the one or more flexibleretaining layers to outside of the one or more flexible retaininglayers. The receptacle extends at least partially outside of the one ormore flexible retaining layers to enable removable connection of thesecond electronics module.

The set of conductive threads 308 and internal electronics module 124can be positioned in a predetermined arrangement or sensor layout. Avacuum sealing, thermal, pressure, bonding, or other technique may beutilized to adhere a top flexible retaining layer to a bottom flexibleretaining layer, thereby enclosing the internal elements within ahousing formed by the flexible retaining layers. More particularly, theset of conductive threads 308 and/or the internal electronics module 124can be formed within a housing that is made by the flexible retaininglayer(s) 310.

A similar pre-fabricated sensor assembly may additionally oralternatively include other types of sensors. For example, resistivetouch sensors can be formed in a similar manner to capacitive touchsensors as described. Other types of sensors such as inertialmeasurement units, strain gauges, ultrasonic sensors, radar-based touchinterfaces, image-based sensors, infrared sensors, etc. can beintegrated within flexible retaining layers as described.

Conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12 can be formed on or within atextile-based substrate 332. By way of example, textile-based substrate332 may be formed by weaving, embroidering, stitching, or otherwiseintegrating conductive threads 308-1 through 308-12 with a set ofnonconductive threads. In the example of FIG. 8-10, each conductivethread 308 includes a lateral section 359 that can extend in a lateraldirection to form an area designed to detect touch inputs by the touchsensor. Collectively, the lateral portions of each conductive threadform a touch-sensitive area for the touch sensor 302. As illustrated,the pitch between the conductive threads where they connect to theinternal electronics module may be less than the pitch between theconductive threads at the touch-sensitive area. Such a design can enablea suitable spacing and arrangement of the conductive threads where thetouch-sensitive area(s) are formed, while providing a tighter pitch toenable a compact arrangement where the conductive threads are connectedto the sensing circuitry.

With reference to FIG. 10, further details of the spacing andarrangement of conductive threads 308 in an example of a pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 300 is illustrated. A close-up view of a touch sensor isdepicted showing a subset of the conductive threads including conductivethreads 308-1 to 308-12. Each conductive thread includes a first lateralsection 357 and a second lateral section 359 that extend in a directionparallel to lateral axis 203, and a longitudinal section 353 thatextends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis201. Longitudinal section 353 is connected to the first lateral section357 by curved section 351.

The first lateral section 357 of each conductive thread can include afirst portion that is woven or otherwise integrated within thetextile-based substrate 332, and a second lateral section 359 thatextends in a lateral direction beyond an outer perimeter of thetextile-based substrate 332. The lateral portion of each conductivethread can have a length that is different than the lengths of thelateral portions of other conductive threads.

The lateral sections 357 and 359 of each conductive thread 308 areseparated from the lateral sections of adjacent threads by a distance354. The longitudinal section 353 of the each conductive thread 308 isseparated from the longitudinal section 353 of adjacent conductivethreads by a distance 358. The distance 354 between the lateral sectionsis greater than the distance 358 between the longitudinal sections. Sucha configuration can enable a sufficient spacing to be utilized in thetouch-sensitive area to receive and distinguish touch inputs utilizingthe conductive lines. Moreover, such a configuration can enable asmaller spacing to be utilized at an area not intended for touch inputin order to conserve space and ultimately make a more compact device.Additionally, the decreased spacing and width of the longitudinalsections can enable a tighter pitch to be utilized when connecting to aribbon and ultimately to the sensing circuitry within internalelectronics module 124. In such a manner, a tight or small spacing canbe utilized to conserve space where connections are made but a largerspacing can be utilized at other areas where a touch input is desired tobe detected.

FIGS. 11-13 depict an example of receptacle 330 in accordance withexample embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 depicts a frontperspective view of receptacle 330, FIG. 12 depicts a first sideperspective view of receptacle 330, and FIG. 13 depicts a second sideperspective of receptacle 330.

Receptacle 330 includes a first longitudinal sidewall 362, a secondlongitudinal sidewall 364, a back or lateral wall 366, and a base member368. Receptacle 330 is one example of a tub or box-based receptacleincluding one or more wall members that extend from a base member 368 toform an open box for receiving a removable electronics module 150.

The first longitudinal sidewall 362 can include a first curved section372 and the second longitudinal sidewall 364 can include a second curvedsection 374. Curved sections 372 and 374 can extend along the back orsecond lateral surface of removable electronics module 150 when insertedto provide additional support for the removable electronics module.

Lateral wall 366 includes a vertical portion 365 and an overhang portion367. When removable electronics module 150 is inserted within receptacle330, a portion of the upper surface 202 of the removable electronicsmodule will be contacted by overhang portion 367. In this manner,overhang portion 367 can at least partially secure removable electronicsmodule 150 within receptacle 330.

Receptacle 330 includes a plurality of retaining elements 392. Retainingelements 392-1 and 392-2 are disposed on an inner portion of a verticalmember 394. More particularly, the first longitudinal sidewall 362includes a first retaining element 392-1 disposed on an inner surface ofa vertical member 394-1. The second longitudinal sidewall 304 includes asecond retaining member 392-2 formed on an inner surface of verticalmember 394-2. Vertical members 394-1 and 394-2 can provide flexibilityso that retaining elements 392-1 and 392-2 can flex when removableelectronics module 150 is inserted. In this manner, the retainingelements 392-1 can accommodate the retaining elements 232 located on theremovable electronics module 150. A third retaining element 332-3 isformed on an inner surface of the vertical portion 365 of lateral wall366. In FIG. 13, retaining elements 392-1, 392-2, and 392-3 are detentsconfigured to mate with the indents comprising the retaining elements232 of removable electronics module 150. Retaining elements 392-1 and392-2 can include a circular cross-section in example embodiments.Retaining element 392-3 can include an ovular or rectangularcross-section in example embodiments.

Base member 368 can include a plurality of openings disposed along aportion of the base member 368 to provide accessibility to a pluralityof contact pads 382. In some examples, the plurality of contact pads 382can extend vertically from the inner surface of base member 368 to formcontact protrusions, such that the plurality of contact protrusions canhave an upper surface that define a plane that is separated verticallyfrom a plane defined in by the inner surface of base member 368.

Receptacle 330 includes an attachment member 370 which may be used toattach receptacle 330 to an interactive object. Attachment member 370may be affixed to the substrate of an existing object using an adhesive,one or more fasteners, heat pressing, or other suitable techniques. InFIGS. 11-13, attachment member 370 extends in a lateral and longitudinaldirection with dimensions that exceed corresponding dimensions of thereceptacle box formed by the sidewalls of the box-based receptacle.Attachment member 370 can form a flange in such embodiments to enablereceptacle 330 to be attached to an interactive object by attachmentmember 370 while exposing the box portion of receptacle 330 for userinsertion and removal of the removable electronics module 150.Attachment member 370 can extend in such directions to facilitateattaching the receptacle to various types of interactive objects. Insome examples, receptacle 330 may be placed in the cuff of a jacket orthe sleeve of another type of wearable garment. In another example,receptacle 330 may be attached to a portion of a backpack, purse, orother garment accessory. Receptacle 330 may be sewn to a substrate of aninteractive object using attachment member 370 in some embodiments. Inother examples, receptacle 330 may be attached to a substrate of aninteractive object using glue or another adhesive.

FIGS. 14A-14C depict an example of inserting a removable electronicsmodule 150 into a receptacle 330 in accordance with one example aspectof the present disclosure. A user can insert removable electronicsmodule 150 into receptacle 330 by placing a first lateral surface 206 ofremovable electronics module 150 into receptacle 330 with a longitudinalforce applied in direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. At thesame time, user 377 may apply a downward pressure in a verticaldirection parallel to the vertical axis to cause first lateral surface206 to be inserted within receptacle 330. The remaining portion of thelower surface 204 may be inserted by the vertical force until it comesin contact with the base member 368 of receptacle 330. With removableelectronics module 150 inserted, the set of contact pads 222 ofremovable electronics module 150 may contact the set of contact pads ofreceptacle 330. As illustrated in FIG. 14C, a portion of the uppersurface 202 of removable electronics module 150 is contacted by anoverhang portion 367 of the back wall of receptacle 330.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another example of a pre-fabricated sensorassembly 300 in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 15 is a top perspective view and FIG. 16 is a bottomperspective view of a sensor assembly 400 including a touch sensor 402,internal electronics module 124, and receptacle 330. Touch sensor 402can be configured as a capacitive touch sensor or resistive touch sensorin example embodiments. Touch sensor 402 is one example of a touchsensor 102 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 400 includes one or more flexibleretaining layers 310 that form a housing that encloses a touch sensor402 and internal electronics module 124 as earlier described. Moreparticularly, the one more flexible retaining layers at least partiallysurround touch sensor 402 and internal electronics module 124 to providestability and to maintain a pre-defined arrangement and positioning ofconductive threads 308-1 through 308-10 that form the touch sensor 402in this example. Touch sensor 402 can be configured as a capacitivetouch sensor or resistive touch sensor in example embodiments.

Conductive threads 308-1 through 308-10 are formed on or within atextile-based substrate 332. By way of example, textile-based substrate332 may be formed by weaving, embroidering, stitching, or otherwiseintegrating conductive threads 308-1 through 308-10 with a set ofnonconductive threads. In the example of FIGS. 15-16, each conductivethread 308 includes a longitudinal portion that extends in alongitudinal direction. Collectively the longitudinal portions of eachconductive thread form a touch-sensitive area for the touch sensor 402.Each conductive thread can include a loose portion 411 which is loosefrom the textile-based substrate 332. The loose portion of eachconductive thread can be formed by not weaving, embroidering, etc. theloose portions with the nonconductive threads when forming textile-basedsubstrate 332. The loose portions may enable a more efficient and/oreasy connection of the conductive threads to sensing circuitry withininternal electronic module 124. As illustrated, the pitch between theconductive threads where they connect to a ribbon 314 and then to theinternal electronics module may be less than the pitch between theconductive threads at the touch-sensitive area. Such a design can enablea suitable spacing and arrangement of the conductive threads where thetouch-sensitive area(s) are formed, while providing a tighter pitch toenable a compact arrangement where the conductive threads are connectedto the sensing circuitry. In the particular example of FIGS. 15-16, aribbon 314 is utilized to gather and position the conductive threads ata pitch corresponding to a set of electrical contact pads (not shown) ofinternal electronics module. Ribbon 314 can be utilized to collect andorganize the plurality of conductive threads 308 into a ribbon with apitch that matches a corresponding pitch of connection points of anelectronic component such as the sensing circuitry of internalelectronics module 124.

Internal electronics module 424 includes a communication port 328coupled to a first portion of communication cable 320. A second endportion of communication cable 320 is coupled to a receptacle 330. Inthis example, receptacle 330 includes or is otherwise attached to aflexible attachment member 470. Communication cable 320 includes a firstend portion coupled to a communication port 328 of internal electronicsmodule 124 and a second end portion coupled to receptacle 330.

FIGS. 17-18 depict an example of a receptacle 430 in accordance withexample aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 depicts a frontperspective view of receptacle 430 and FIG. 18 depicts a sideperspective view of receptacle 430.

Receptacle 430 includes a first longitudinal sidewall 462, a secondlongitudinal sidewall 464, a back or lateral wall 466, a base member468, and a top member 471. Receptacle 430 is one example of a slot-basedreceptacle including one or more wall members that extend from a basemember 468 to form a closed slot for receiving a removable electronicsmodule 150. Receptacle 430 includes a top member 471 that provides avertical force to hold removable electronics module 150 when inserted.Top member 471 can extend over at least 25% of the length of uppersurface of removable electronics module 150 in example embodiments, suchas at least 35% of the length of the upper surface, such as at least 45%of the length of the upper surface, such as at least 50% of the uppersurface of the length of the upper surface. In other examples, topmember 471 may extend less than 25% of the length of the upper surfaceor more than 50% of the length of the upper surface.

Base member 468 includes a length in the longitudinal direction that isless than a length of the first longitudinal sidewall 462 in thelongitudinal direction and the length of the second longitudinalsidewall 464 in the longitudinal direction. In this manner, an openingcan be provided to further facilitate removal and insertion of theremovable electronics module.

The first longitudinal sidewall 462 can include a first lateral arch 472and the second longitudinal sidewall 464 can include a second lateralarch 474. Lateral arch 472 can extend along at least a portion of theupper surface of removable electronics module 150 when inserted toprovide additional support for the removable electronics module. Lateralarch 474 can extend along at least a portion of the upper surface ofremovable electronics module 150 when inserted to provide additionalsupport for the removable electronics module.

Receptacle 430 includes a plurality of retaining elements 492. The firstlongitudinal sidewall 462 includes a first retaining element 492-1disposed on an inner surface of a horizontal member (not shown). Thesecond longitudinal sidewall 464 includes a second retaining element492-2 formed on an inner surface of a horizontal member 494-2.Horizontal members such as horizontal member 494-2 can provideflexibility so that retaining elements 492-1 and 492-2 can flex whenremovable electronics module 150 is inserted. In this manner, theretaining elements 492 can accommodate the retaining elements 232located on the removable electronics module 150. A third retainingelement 492-3 is formed on an inner surface of a lateral wall 466.Retaining elements 492-1, 492-2, and 492-3 can be detents configured tomate with the indents comprising the retaining elements 232 of removableelectronics module 150 in example embodiments. Retaining elements 492-1and 492-2 can include a circular cross-section in example embodiments.Retaining element 492-3 can include a rectangular cross-section inexample embodiments.

Base member 468 can include a plurality of openings disposed along aportion of the base member 468 to provide accessibility to a pluralityof contact pads 482. In some examples, the plurality of contact pads 482can extend vertically from the inner surface of base member 468 to formcontact protrusions, such that the plurality of contact pads 482 canhave an upper surface that defines a plane that is separated verticallyfrom a plane defined in by the inner surface of base member 468.

Receptacle 430 includes an attachment member 470. In this example,receptacle 230 includes or is otherwise attached to a flexibleattachment member 470. The flexible attachment member 470 can include atextile fabric or other flexible material in various embodiments.Flexible attachment member 470 can enable the attachment of receptacle430 to an interactive object. For example, flexible attachment member470 may be sewn to a substrate that is used to form an interactiveobject, enabling the receptacle 430 to be affixed to the interactiveobject. In this example, attachment member 470 can include a flexibletextile or other material that is attached to at least a portion of oneor more of the first longitudinal sidewall 462, the second longitudinalsidewall 464, the lateral wall 466, and/or the base member 468. Theparticular arrangement of receptacle 430 enables a removable electronicsmodule 150 to be inserted within the slot formed by the various walls sothat removable electronics module can be securely attached to receptacle430 and thereby to an interactive object including the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 400.

FIGS. 19A-19C depict an example of inserting removable electronicsmodule 150 into receptacle 430 in accordance with one example aspect ofthe present disclosure. A user can insert removable electronics module150 into receptacle 430 by placing a first lateral surface 206 ofremovable electronics module 150 into receptacle 430 with a longitudinalforce applied in longitudinal direction. A single longitudinal force canbe used to insert the removable electronics module 150 within the slotformed by receptacle 430. Inserting removable electronics module 150,the set of contact pads 222 of removable electronics module 150 (seeFIG. 5) may contact the set of contact pads of receptacle 430. Asillustrated in FIG. 14C, top member 471 overlies at least a portion ofthe upper surface of the removable electronics module 150. Additionally,a portion of base member 468 contacts a lower surface of removableelectronics module 150. Furthermore, lateral arches 472 and 474 extendin the lateral direction to provide additional support to the lowersurface of the removable electronics module 150

FIG. 20A depicts an example of an interactive shoe insert 520 (alsoreferred to as an interactive insole or an interactive sock liner)including a receptacle 530 in accordance with one example aspect of thepresent disclosure. Interactive shoe insert 520 is an example of aninteractive object that does not include a pre-fabricated sensorassembly. Instead, interactive shoe insert 520 includes a receptacle 530that is configured to receive a removable electronics module via anopening 532. In this manner, interactive shoe insert 520 can beconfigured with the removable electronics module to capture dataindicative of movements of the user using the inertial measurement unitof the removable electronics module, for example. The removableelectronics module may perform other functions while inserted into theinteractive shoe insert 520. For example, removable electronics module150 may include one or more output devices such as an LED output device,haptic output device, or other output device. The removable electronicsmodule can receive control signals from a remote computing device suchas a user smart phone in order to initiate one or more output signals.

FIGS. 20B-20D depict an example of a user inserting removableelectronics module 150 into receptacle 530 of interactive shoe insert520 in accordance with one example aspect of the present disclosure. Auser can insert removable electronics module 150 into receptacle 530 byplacing a first lateral surface 206 (also referred to as front surface)of removable electronics module 150 into receptacle 530 with alongitudinal force applied in longitudinal direction. The user may applylongitudinal force to insert a portion of the removable electronicsmodule within receptacle 530. When a back portion of the removableelectronics module reaches a back portion of receptacle 530, a user mayapply a downward pressure in a vertical direction parallel to thevertical axis 205 to cause the remaining portion of the removableelectronics module 150 to be inserted within receptacle 530. A lowersurface of removable electronics module 150 may contact an inner surfaceof interactive shoe insert 520.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart depicting an example method 550 of configuring aremovable electronics device based on a type of interactive object towhich the removable electronics module is coupled. One or more portionsof method 550 can be implemented by one or more computing devices suchas, for example, one or more computing devices of a computingenvironment 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, computing environment 190 asillustrated in FIG. 2, or a computing environment 1202 as illustrated inFIG. 38. One or more portions of method 550 can be implemented as analgorithm on the hardware components of the devices described herein to,for example, configure a removable electronics module to process sensordata associated with the interactive object to generate data indicativeof the detection of one or more pre-defined motions such as gestures. Inexample embodiments, method 550 may be performed by one or moreprocessors included within the removable electronics module.

At 552, method 550 can include detecting a connection between aninteractive object and a removable electronics module. For example, aremovable electronics module may detect a connection to an interactiveobject in response to one or more signals received at one or morecontacts of a communication interface of the removable electronicsmodule. In other examples, the removable electronics module may detect aconnection to an interactive object based at least in part on user inputprovided to the interactive object and/or the removable electronicsmodule. In some examples, the removable electronics device can detectthat the removable electronics device is physically coupled to apre-fabricated sensor assembly comprising.

At 554, method 550 can include obtaining an object identifier associatedwith the interactive object. In some examples, a pre-fabricated sensorassembly of an interactive object including a touch sensor such as acapacitive or resistive touch sensor can provide a sensor identifier tothe removable electronics module. In some examples, an interactiveobject can obtain an identifier of the interactive object itself, suchas where a preconfigured sensor assembly is not included within theinteractive object.

At 556, method 550 can include issuing a request for configuration dataassociated with the interactive object. For example, the removableelectronics module may issue one or more requests to a remote serversuch as may be associated with a cloud computing service that providesconfiguration data for various interactive objects and/or sensors. Theone or more requests can include the interactive object identifier. Therequest can be issued using a wireless network interface of theremovable electronics module in example embodiments. For example, therequest may be issued over a bluetooth connection or a Wi-Fi connectionin some embodiments.

At 558, method 550 can include obtaining configuration data in responseto the request issued at 556. In some examples, configuration data canbe obtained from a remote computing device. In other examples, theconfiguration data may be obtained from a local storage location, suchas a local memory of the removable electronics device in some examples.The configuration data can include pre-defined parameters associatedwith the touch sensor of a particular sensor assembly. The removableelectronics device can obtain one or more pre-defined parametersassociated with the touch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly.

At 560, the removable electronics module determines whether one or moremotion detection processes (e.g., gesture detection processes)associated with the removable electronics should be modified based onthe configuration data. Examples of configuration data include, but arenot limited to, pre-defined parameters such as sensing parametersassociated with a particular sensor layout. For example, sensors mayinclude various numbers of sensing elements, various spacing betweensensing elements, various lengths or other dimensions of sensingelements, various sensing element materials from which the sensingelements are fabricated, and other differences that may affect thesensor data generated by the sensor. The configuration data may includeor may be used by the removable electronics module to determine one ormore pre-defined parameters that are associated with the touch sensor ofa pre-fabricated sensor assembly of the interactive object in which theremovable electronics modules has been inserted.

If one or more gesture detection processes are to be modified based onthe configuration data, method 550 modifies the one or more gesturedetection processes at 562. For example, the removable electronicsmodule may apply one or more pre-defined parameters associated withparticular type of sensor in response to determining that a gesturedetection process is to be modified. In some examples, method 550 caninclude configuring one or more machine learned models associated with agesture detection process at 562. Configuring the one or more machinelearned models can include modifying one or more weights associated withthe one or more machine learned models in example embodiments. Forinstance, the removable electronics device can be configured to detectone or more pre-defined motions by configuring one or more machinelearned models for detecting the one or more pre-defined motions basedat least in part on one or more first pre-defined parameters associatedwith a first touch sensor. The removable electronic device can bereconfigured to detect the one or more pre-defined motions byconfiguring the one or more machine learned models for detecting the oneor more pre-defined motions based at least in part on one or more secondpre-defined parameters associated with a second touch sensor. In someexamples, the removable electronics device can configure one or moremachine-learned models to detect one or more pre-defined motions using aset of weights associated with the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Inother examples, configuring the one or more machine learned models caninclude obtaining a particular machine learned model associated with aparticular type of sensor. The removable electronics module can analyze,in response to the removable electronics device being physically coupledto a first pre-fabricated sensor assembly, touch data associated withthe first pre-fabricated sensor assembly to detect one or morepre-defined motions based on the pre-defined parameters associated withthe touch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Theremovable electronics module can analyze, in response to the removableelectronics device being physically coupled to a second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly, touch data associated with the second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly to detect one or more pre-defined motions based on thepre-defined parameters associated with the touch sensor of the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly.

At 564, method 550 can include determining whether one or moreinput/output (I/O) configurations of the removable electronics moduleare to be modified based on the configuration data. By way of example,some pre-fabricated sensor assemblies may include an output device suchas an audible output device, a visual output device, and/or a hapticoutput device. Other pre-fabricated sensor assemblies may not includesuch an output device.

Accordingly, at 566, method 550 can include updating one or morefunction mappings to correspond with the interactive object type towhich the removable electronics module has been connected. For instance,in response to determining that an interactive object includes apre-fabricated sensor assembly with an output device, a functionassociated with a particular gesture may include initiating an output bythe output device of the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. In response todetermining that an interactive object includes a pre-fabricated sensorassembly without an output device, however, a function associated withthe same gesture may include initiating an output by the removableelectronics module.

At 568, the removable electronics module setup of method 500 completes.

FIGS. 22-25 depict an example of another pre-fabricated sensor assembly600 in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS. 22 and 23 depict a top perspective view and a bottom perspectiveview of sensor assembly 600, respectively. FIG. 24 depicts an explodedperspective view of an example set of layers that can be used to formthe pre-fabricated sensor assembly 600. FIG. 25 depicts a close-up viewof a subset of the sensing lines used to form the capacitive touchsensor for sensor assembly 600.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 600 includes a touch sensor 602 that isformed from a plurality of conductive lines 608-1 through 608-12. Touchsensor 602 is one example of a touch sensor 102 as depicted in FIGS. 1and 2. Conductive lines 608-1 through 608-12 are one example of sensingelements 108. Conductive lines 608-1 through 608-12 extend in a lateraldirection parallel to a lateral axis 203 at a touch-sensitive area 640of the touch sensor 602. Touch sensor 602 is a capacitive touch sensorin example embodiments. Conductive lines 608-1 through 608-12 include acurved section 666 that connects a second lateral section 664 of eachconductive line to a longitudinal section 668 of each conductive linethat extends in a direction parallel to longitudinal axis 601. Theconductive lines are coupled to a connecting ribbon 314 with can beutilized to position the conductive lines for connection to a pluralityof electrical contact pads (not shown) of internal electronics module124. The plurality of conductive lines 608-1 through 608-2 can becollected and organized using ribbon 314 with a pitch that matches acorresponding pitch of connection points of an electronic component suchas a component of internal electronics module 124.

The longitudinal section 668 of each conductive line extends in thelongitudinal direction at a non-touch-sensitive area 642 of the touchsensor 102. More particularly, one or more shield layers 612 are formedover the longitudinal portion of each conductive line to form thenon-touch-sensitive area 642. One or more adhesive layers 616 may beutilized to couple the plurality of conductive lines to the one or moreshield layers 612 while optionally providing insulation therebetween. Insome examples, the one or more shield layers 612 can be a conductiveshield layer that is formed from the same or a similar material toconductive lines 608. In other examples, the one or more shield layers612 may be one or more insulating layers. By utilizing the one or moreshield layers 612, the touch-sensitive area 640 can be selectivelyformed at a desirable location of the touch sensor 102. In thisparticular example, the one or more shield layers 612 can be utilized toform a capacitive touch sensor that includes sensing lines that extendin the lateral direction with a spacing therebetween in the longitudinaldirection. The longitudinal portion of each conductive line can becovered by the one or more shield layers 612 so that the touch sensor602 is not touch-sensitive at that area. One or more shield layers mayprovide a ground in some examples. For instance, a ground can beprovided for electrical fields originating in an area associated withthe non-touch-sensitive area due to an approaching object such as auser's finger.

Internal electronics module 124 may include sensing circuitry (notshown) in electrical communication with the plurality of conductivelines 608-1 through 608-12. Internal electronics module 124 may includeone or more communication ports. In the example of FIG. 3, internalelectronics module 124 includes a communication port 326 and acommunication port 328. Communication port 328 is coupled to a first endportion of the communications cable 320. Communication cable 320 is oneexample of a portion of a communication interface 162 as shown in FIG.2. Communication cable 320 includes a second end portion that is coupledto a receptacle 330. Receptacle 330 is configured to removably connect aremovable electronics module 150 (not shown) to the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 600 via communication cable 320. Receptacle 330 may bemanufactured from a plastic, metal, polymer, or other suitable material.Receptacle 330 can include one or more electrical contacts not shown forelectrically coupling the removable electronics module to thepre-fabricated sensor assembly 600. The receptacle can extend at leastpartially outside of the one or more flexible retaining layers to enableremovable connection of an electronics module in some examples.

With reference to FIG. 24, pre-fabricated sensor assembly 600 mayinclude an upper flexible retaining layer 310-1 and a lower flexibleretaining layer 310-2. Between the retaining layers can be formed one ormore shield layers 612, one or more adhesive layers 616, a set ofconductive lines 608, and an internal electronics module 124. In someexamples, a portion of communication cable 320 can be formed between theencapsulation layers as shown. In some examples, a single flexibleretaining layer 610 may be utilized while still forming a housing forenclosing the touch sensor 602 and optionally other components such asinternal electronics module 124. For instance, a single flexibleretaining layer 310 may be folded with the touch sensor 602 and internalelectronics module 124 formed therebetween.

The one or more flexible retaining layers can at least partiallysurround the first electronics module and the plurality of flexiblesensing lines of the capacitive touch sensor. The communication cablecan extend from within the housing of the one or more flexible retaininglayers to outside of the one or more flexible retaining layers. Thereceptacle extends at least partially outside of the one or moreflexible retaining layers to enable removable connection of the secondelectronics module.

The set of conductive lines 608, ribbon 314, and internal electronicsmodule 124 can be positioned in a predetermined arrangement or sensorlayout. Adhesive layer 616 and shield layer 612 can be positioned in atarget location where the non-touch-sensitive area 642 is to be formed.The flexible retaining layers 610-1 and 610-2 can be positioned over incontact with the one or more shield layers 612 and under in contact withthe set of conductive lines and internal electronics module 124. Avacuum sealing, thermal, pressure, bonding, or other technique may beutilized to adhere the upper flexible retaining layer 310-1 to the lowerflexible retaining layer 310-2, thereby enclosing the internal elementswithin a housing formed by the applicable retaining layers. Moreparticularly, internal electronics module 124 and the set of conductivelines 608 of the touch sensor 602 can be formed within a housing that ismade by the flexible retaining layers 310-1 and 310-2.

With reference to FIG. 25, further details of the spacing andarrangement of conductive lines 608 in the example of pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 600 is illustrated. A close-up view of a touch sensor isdepicted showing a subset of the conductive lines including conductiveline 608-1 and conductive line 608-2. Each conductive line includes afirst lateral section 662 that extends in a direction parallel tolateral axis 603, a second lateral section 664 that extends in thedirection parallel the lateral axis 603, and a longitudinal section 668that extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinalaxis 601. Longitudinal section 668 is connected to the second lateralsection 664 by curved section 666.

The first lateral section 662 of each conductive line 608 has a width652. The second lateral section 664 has a smaller width 653. The secondlateral portion of each sensing line can have a length that is differentthan each other second lateral portion. In this manner, the secondportion of each flexible sensing line of the plurality of flexiblesensing lines can have a length that is different than a length of thesecond portion of each other flexible sensing line of the plurality offlexible sensing lines.

The longitudinal section 668 includes an even smaller width 656. Thelateral section 662 of the first conductive line 608-1 is separated fromthe lateral section 662 of second conductive line 608-2 by a distance654. The longitudinal section 668 of the first conductive line 608-1 isseparated from the longitudinal section 668 of the second conductiveline 608-2 by a distance 658. The distance 654 between the lateralsections is greater than the distance 658 between the longitudinalsection. Such a configuration can enable a sufficient spacing to beutilized in the touch-sensitive area to receive and distinguish touchinputs utilizing the conductive lines. Moreover, such a configurationcan enable a smaller spacing to be utilized at the non-touch-sensitivearea so as to conserve space and ultimately make a more compact device.Additionally, the decreased spacing and width of the longitudinalextents can enable a tighter pitch to be utilized when connecting toribbon 314 and ultimately to the sensing circuitry within internalelectronics module 124. In such a manner, a tight or small spacing canbe utilized to conserve space where connections are made but a largerspacing can be utilized at other areas where a touch input is desired tobe detected.

In some examples, each sensing line of the plurality of flexible sensinglines can include a multilayered flexible film. The multilayeredflexible film can include at least a flexible base layer and a metallayer that overlies the flexible base layer. In some examples, eachsensing line of the plurality of flexible sensing lines includes apassivation layer that overlies the flexible base layer and separatesthe flexible base layer from the metal layer. For example, one or morepassivation layers may be utilized to increase adhesion of the sensinglines to other surfaces. A electromagnetic field shielding fabric can beused to form the sensing lines in some examples.

In some examples, a continuous adhesive layer 616 can be coupled to afirst surface of each of the plurality of flexible sensing lines. Thecontinuous adhesive layer can be provided within the housing defined bythe one or more flexible retaining layers.

In FIGS. 22-25, each sensing line of the plurality of flexibleconductive lines 608 includes a longitudinal section 668 that extends ina first direction at a first portion of the pre-fabricated sensorassembly and a second lateral section 664 and/or 662 that extends in asecond direction at a second portion of the pre-fabricated sensorassembly. The first direction and the second direction can besubstantially orthogonal. A width of the first portion of each sensingline can be less than a width of the second portion of each sensingline.

In some examples, the capacitive touch sensor comprises an adhesivelayer 616 including a first surface coupled to the longitudinal section668 of each sensing line. The adhesive layer can include a secondsurface. A shield layer can be coupled to the second surface of theadhesive layer. The shield layer can extend over at least the wanted tolongitudinal portion of each sensing line to provide a ground forelectrical fields that result from touch input at the first portion ofeach sensing line. The lateral section 662 of each of the plurality offlexible sensing lines extends beyond an outer perimeter of the shieldlayer in some examples. In some examples, adhesive layer 616 and shieldlayer 612 can be combined into a single layer that includes bothadhesive and shielding properties.

A similar pre-fabricated sensor assembly may additionally oralternatively include other types of sensors. For example, resistivetouch sensors can be formed in a similar manner to capacitive touchsensors as described. Other types of sensors such as inertialmeasurement units, strain gauges, ultrasonic sensors, radar-based touchinterfaces, image-based sensors, infrared sensors, etc. can beintegrated within flexible retaining layers as described.

FIGS. 26 and 27 depict a pre-fabricated sensor assembly 680 inaccordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed technology.FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the pre-fabricated sensorassembly 680 and FIG. 27 is a front detailed perspective view of theexample pre-fabricated sensor assembly 680.

A plurality of sensing lines 678-1 through 678-10 comprising amultilayered film as described with respect to FIGS. 22-25 can be used.In FIG. 26, the plurality of conductive lines extend in a singledirection (e.g., parallel to a direction of a longitudinal axis) to forma touch-sensitive area 690 of touch sensor 672. Touch sensor 672 can beconfigured as a capacitive touch sensor or resistive touch sensor inexample embodiments.

The plurality of sensing lines are separated by a first spacing at afirst portion of the capacitive touch sensor configured to receive touchinput. A smaller or tighter spacing between the plurality of conductivelines can be utilized at second portion of the capacitive touch sensorwhere the sensing lines 678 are routed or otherwise positioned forattachment to the internal electronics module 124. In this example itcan be seen that plurality of sensing lines have a tighter pitch orspacing at the second portion just prior to connection to the internalelectronics module 124. In this manner, even though a single directionis utilized for the capacitive touch sensor, a tighter spacing can beprovided to properly align the set of sensing lines 678 with electricalcontact pads of the internal electronics module 124. In some examples,this arrangement can facilitate a tighter or more compact devicearchitecture. Sensing lines can connect to the internal electronics witha small spacing, while also providing a larger spacing between thesensing lines at a touch-sensitive area of the capacitive touch sensordesigned to receive touch input.

The plurality of sensing lines 678 of the pre-fabricated sensor assembly670 can be attached to a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate caninclude continuous flexible substrate that attaches to each of theplurality conductive lines. In some examples, the flexible substratecomprises one or more adhesive layers 616 having an upper surfacecoupled to a lower surface of the flexible base layer of each of theplurality of conductive lines. Other types of flexible substrates may beused in other examples.

By utilizing a continuous flexible substrate that is attached to theplurality of sensing lines, a pre-defined sensor layout of the pluralityof sensing elements can be maintained. The pre-defined sensor layout canbe maintained while also providing a flexible structure. The flexiblesensing lines and the substrate to which they are attached, inconjunction with flexible retaining layers, etc., can provide apre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 that enables an efficient and simpletechnique for integrating a passive touch sensor into a base substrateof an existing object.

Communication cable 320 includes a first end portion coupled to acommunication port 328 of internal electronics module 124 and a secondend portion coupled to receptacle 630. In this example, receptacle 630includes or is otherwise attached to a flexible attachment member 670.The flexible attachment member 670 can include a textile fabric or otherflexible material in various embodiments. Flexible attachment member 670can enable the attachment of receptacle 630 to an interactive object.For example, flexible attachment member 670 may be sewn to a substratethat is used to form an interactive object, enabling the receptacle 630to be affixed to the interactive object. In this example, receptacle 630includes a connector pad 675 and support members 674 and 676 configuredto removably connect the removable electronics module to thepre-fabricated sensor assembly. The particular arrangement of receptacle630 in FIG. 26 enables a removal electronics module 150 to be insertedwithin the extending support members 674 and 676 of receptacle 630 sothat removable electronics module can be securely attached to receptacle630 and thereby to an interactive object including the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 680.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate another example of a pre-fabricated sensorassembly 700 in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a sensor assembly 700depicting a touch sensor 702, internal electronics module 124, andreceptacle 630. FIG. 29 is a close-up front perspective view of sensorassembly 700 depicting additional details of touch sensor 702 andinternal electronics module 124. Touch sensor 702 can be configured as acapacitive touch sensor or resistive touch sensor in exampleembodiments.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 700 includes one or more flexibleretaining layers 310 that form a housing that encloses a touch sensor702 and internal electronics module 124 as earlier described. Moreparticularly, the one more flexible retaining layers at least partiallysurround touch sensor 702 and internal electronics module 124 to providestability and to maintain a pre-defined arrangement and positioning ofconductive threads 308-1 through 308-10 that form the touch sensor 702in this example. Touch sensor 702 can be configured as a capacitivetouch sensor or resistive touch sensor in example embodiments.

Conductive threads 308-1 through 308-10 are formed on or within atextile-based substrate 332 as earlier described. By way of example,textile-based substrate 332 may be formed by weaving, embroidering,stitching, or otherwise integrating conductive threads 308-1 through308-10 with a set of nonconductive threads. In the example of FIG. 28,each conductive thread 308 includes a longitudinal portion 709 thatextends in a longitudinal direction. Collectively the longitudinalportions of each conductive thread form a touch-sensitive area 440 forthe touch sensor 702. Each conductive thread can include a loose portion411 which is loose from the textile-based substrate 332. The looseportion 411 of each conductive thread can be formed by not weaving,embroidering, etc. the loose portions 411 with the nonconductive threadswhen forming textile-based substrate 332. The loose portions 411 mayenable a more efficient and/or easy connection of the conductive threadsto sensing circuitry within internal electronic module 124. Asillustrated, the pitch between the conductive threads where they connectto the internal electronics module may be less than the pitch betweenthe conductive threads at the touch-sensitive area 440. Such a designcan enable a suitable spacing and arrangement of the conductive threadswhere the touch-sensitive area(s) are formed, while providing a tighterpitch to enable a compact arrangement where the conductive threads areconnected to the sensing circuitry. In a particular example of FIG. 28,a ribbon 314 is utilized to gather and position the conductive threadsat a pitch corresponding to a set of electrical contact pads (not shown)of internal electronics module 124. Ribbon 314 can be utilized tocollect and organize the plurality of conductive threads 308 into aribbon with a pitch that matches a corresponding pitch of connectionpoints of an electronic component such as the sensing circuitry ofinternal electronics module 124.

An optional set of stabilizing members 732 and 734 are provided toselectively couple the loose portions 411 to the textile substrate tobetter facilitate positioning of the conductive threads relative to theribbon 314. It is noted that stabilizing members 732 and 734 areoptional. In some examples, stabilizing members 732 and 734 are formedfrom a film or other flexible material.

Internal electronics module 124 includes a single communication port 328coupled to a first portion of communication cable 320. A second endportion of communication cable 320 is coupled to a receptacle 330. Inthis example, receptacle 330 includes or is otherwise attached to aflexible attachment member 470. The flexible attachment member 470 caninclude a textile fabric or other flexible material in variousembodiments. Flexible attachment member 470 can enable the attachment ofreceptacle 330 to an interactive object. For example, flexibleattachment member 470 may be sewn to a substrate that is used to form aninteractive object, enabling the receptacle 730 to be affixed to theinteractive object. In this example, receptacle 330 includes a connectorhaving a set of electrical contact pads 675 and 677. In other examples,more or fewer electrical contacts may be utilized. The particulararrangement of receptacle 330 enables a removal electronics module 150to be inserted within the extending members of receptacle 330 so thatremovable electronics module can be securely attached to receptacle 330and thereby to an interactive object including the pre-fabricated sensorassembly 700.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example 800 of an interactive object 104 withmultiple electronics modules in accordance with one or moreimplementations. In this example, touch sensor 802 of the interactiveobject 104 includes non-conductive threads 315 woven with conductivethreads 308 to form touch sensor 802 (e.g., interactive textile).Non-conductive threads may correspond to any type of non-conductivethread, fiber, or fabric, such as cotton, wool, silk, nylon, polyester,and so forth. Touch sensor 802 can be configured as a capacitive touchsensor or resistive touch sensor in example embodiments. Together,non-conductive threads 315 and conductive threads 308 form a textile ortextile-based substrate 820.

At 804, a zoomed-in view of conductive thread 308 is illustrated.Conductive thread 308 includes a conductive wire 816 or a plurality ofconductive filaments that are twisted, braided, or wrapped with aflexible thread 818. As shown, the conductive thread 308 can be woven orotherwise integrated with the non-conductive threads to form a fabric ora textile-based substrate 332. Although a conductive thread and textileis illustrated, it will be appreciated that other sensing lines andsubstrates may be used, such as flexible metal lines formed on a plasticsubstrate.

In one or more implementations, conductive thread 308 includes a thincopper wire. It is to be noted, however, that the conductive thread 308may also be implemented using other materials, such as silver, gold, orother materials coated with a conductive material. The conductive thread308 may include an outer cover layer formed by braiding togethernon-conductive threads. The non-conductive threads may be implemented asany type of flexible thread or fiber, such as cotton, wool, silk, nylon,polyester, and so forth.

Touch sensor 802 can be formed efficiently and in a low-cost manner,using any conventional weaving process (e.g., jacquard weaving or3D-weaving), which involves interlacing a set of longer threads (calledthe warp) with a set of crossing threads (called the weft). Weaving maybe implemented on a frame or machine known as a loom, of which there area number of types. Thus, a loom can weave non-conductive threads 315with conductive threads 308 to create touch sensor 802.

The conductive threads 308 can be woven into the touch sensor 802 in anysuitable pattern or array. In one embodiment, for instance, theconductive threads 308 may form a single series of parallel threads. Forinstance, in one embodiment, the capacitive touch sensor may comprise asingle plurality of parallel conductive threads conveniently located onthe interactive object, such as on the sleeve of a jacket. In analternative embodiment, the conductive threads 308 may form a grid.

In the example of pre-fabricated sensor assembly 800, conductive thread308 is woven into touch sensor 802 to form a sensor that includes asingle set of substantially parallel conductive threads 308. In otherexamples, a second set of substantially parallel conductive threads 308crosses the first set of conductive threads can be to form a grid.

In such an example (not shown), the first set of conductive threads 308are oriented horizontally and the second set of conductive threads 308are oriented vertically, such that the first set of conductive threadsthrough a are positioned substantially orthogonal to the second set ofconductive threads 308. It is to be appreciated, however, thatconductive threads 308 may be oriented such that crossing conductivethreads 308 are not orthogonal to each other. For example, in some casescrossing conductive threads 308 may form a diamond-shaped grid. Whileconductive threads 308 are illustrated as being spaced out from eachother in FIG. 30, it is to be noted that conductive threads 308 may beweaved very closely together. For example, in some cases two or threeconductive threads may be weaved closely together in each direction.Further, in some cases the conductive threads may be oriented asparallel sensing lines that do not cross or intersect with each other.

In the example of pre-fabricated sensor assembly 800, sensing circuitry126 is shown as being integrated within object 104, and is directlyconnected to conductive threads 308. During operation, sensing circuitry126 can determine positions of touch-input on the conductive threads 308using self-capacitance sensing or projective capacitive sensing. Forexample, sensing circuitry 126 can detect a change in capacitanceassociated with one or more conductive threads 308.

Although not illustrated, sensing elements such as conductive threads308 may be implemented as a grid of sensing lines. For example, whenconfigured as a self-capacitance sensor, sensing circuitry 126 cancharge crossing conductive threads 308 (e.g., horizontal and verticalconductive threads) by applying a control signal (e.g., a sine signal)to each conductive thread 308. When an object, such as the user'sfinger, touches or comes in proximity to the parallel arrangement orgrid of conductive thread 308, the conductive threads 308 that aretouched are grounded, which changes the capacitance (e.g., increases ordecreases the capacitance) on the touched conductive threads 308.

Sensing circuitry 126 uses the change in capacitance to identify thepresence of the object. If a grid of conductive threads is used, sensingcircuitry 126 detects a position of the touch-input by detecting whichhorizontal conductive thread 308 is touched, and which verticalconductive thread 308 is touched by detecting changes in capacitance ofeach respective conductive thread 308. Sensing circuitry 126 uses theintersection of the crossing conductive threads 308 that are touched todetermine the position of the touch-input on the grid of conductivethreads 308. For example, sensing circuitry 126 can determine touch databy determining the position of each touch as X,Y coordinates on the gridof conductive thread 308.

When implemented as a self-capacitance sensor, “ghosting” may occur whenmulti-touch-input is received. Consider, for example, that a usertouches a grid of conductive thread 308 with two fingers. When thisoccurs, sensing circuitry 126 determines X and Y coordinates for each ofthe two touches. However, sensing circuitry 126 may be unable todetermine how to match each X coordinate to its corresponding Ycoordinate. For example, if a first touch and the second touch havedifferent coordinates, sensing circuitry 126 may also detect “ghost”coordinates.

In one or more implementations, sensing circuitry 126 is configured todetect “areas” of touch-input corresponding to two or more touch-inputpoints on the grid of conductive thread 308. Conductive threads 308 maybe weaved closely together such that when an object touches the grid ofconductive thread 308, the capacitance will be changed for multiplehorizontal conductive threads 308 and/or multiple vertical conductivethreads 308. For example, a single touch with a single finger maygenerate the coordinates. Sensing circuitry 126 may be configured todetect touch-input if the capacitance is changed for multiple horizontalconductive threads 308 and/or multiple vertical conductive threads 308.Note that this removes the effect of ghosting because sensing circuitry126 will not detect touch-input if two single-point touches are detectedwhich are spaced apart.

Alternately, when implemented as a projective capacitance sensor,sensing circuitry 126 charges a single set of conductive threads 308(e.g., horizontal conductive threads 308) by applying a control signal(e.g., a sine signal) to the single set of conductive threads 308. Then,sensing circuitry 126 senses changes in capacitance in the other set ofconductive threads 308 (e.g., vertical conductive threads 308).

In this implementation, vertical conductive threads 308 are not chargedand thus act as a virtual ground. However, when horizontal conductivethreads 308 are charged, the horizontal conductive threads capacitivelycouple to vertical conductive threads 308. Thus, when an object, such asthe user's finger, touches the grid of conductive thread 308, thecapacitance changes on the vertical conductive threads (e.g., increasesor decreases). Sensing circuitry 126 uses the change in capacitance onvertical conductive threads 308 to identify the presence of the object.To do so, sensing circuitry 126 detects a position of the touch-input byscanning vertical conductive threads 308 to detect changes incapacitance. Sensing circuitry 126 determines the position of thetouch-input as the intersection point between the vertical conductivethread 308 with the changed capacitance, and the horizontal conductivethread 308 on which the control signal was transmitted. For example,sensing circuitry 126 can determine touch data by determining theposition of each touch as X,Y coordinates on the grid of conductivethread 308.

Whether implemented as a self-capacitance sensor or a projectivecapacitance sensor, the conductive thread 308 and sensing circuitry 126is configured to communicate the touch data that is representative ofthe detected touch-input to removable electronics module 150, which isremovably coupled to interactive object 104 via communication interface162. The microprocessor 152 may then cause communication of the touchdata, via network interface 156, to computing device 106 to enable thedevice to determine gestures based on the touch data, which can be usedto control object 104, computing device 106, or applications implementedat computing device 106. In some implementations, a gesture may bedetermined by the internal electronics module and/or the removableelectronics module and data indicative of the gesture can becommunicated to a computing device 106 to control object 104, computingdevice 106, or applications implemented at computing device 106.

The computing device 106 can be implemented to recognize a variety ofdifferent types of gestures, such as touches, taps, swipes, holds, andcovers made to touch sensor 102. To recognize the various differenttypes of gestures, the computing device can be configured to determine aduration of the touch, swipe, or hold (e.g., one second or two seconds),a number of the touches, swipes, or holds (e.g., a single tap, a doubletap, or a triple tap), a number of fingers of the touch, swipe, or hold(e.g., a one finger-touch or swipe, a two-finger touch or swipe, or athree-finger touch or swipe), a frequency of the touch, and a dynamicdirection of a touch or swipe (e.g., up, down, left, right). Withregards to holds, the computing device 106 can also determine an area ofthe grid of conductive thread 308 that is being held (e.g., top, bottom,left, right, or top and bottom. Thus, the computing device 106 canrecognize a variety of different types of holds, such as a cover, acover and hold, a five finger hold, a five finger cover and hold, athree finger pinch and hold, and so forth.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example of a pre-fabricated sensor assembly 850in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.31 is a top view of sensor assembly 850 depicting a touch sensor 302 asillustrated in FIG. 8, internal electronics module 124, receptacle 330,communication cable 320, and communication cable 322. FIG. 31 depictsanother example where the sensing lines are formed from a plurality ofconductive threads 308-1 through 308-12. Similar to the example depictedin FIG. 8, the plurality of conductive threads 308 are woven orotherwise integrated with one or more nonconductive threads or anotherflexible material to form a flexible substrate 332. Touch sensor 302 canbe configured as a capacitive touch sensor or resistive touch sensor inexample embodiments.

More particularly, in this example each conductive thread 308 includes alongitudinal section 353 that extends in a longitudinal direction fromribbon 314. In some examples, the longitudinal section 353 may beintegrated with the flexible substrate 332 such as by weaving thelongitudinal section 353 with the one or more nonconductive threads toform the flexible substrate 332. Each conductive thread also includes acurved section that attaches the longitudinal extent to a first lateralsection 357. In some embodiments, the first lateral section 357 can alsobe integrated with the flexible substrate, such as by weaving,embroidering, etc. In other examples, the first lateral section 357 or aportion thereof may be loose from the flexible substrate 332 such thatit is movable relative to the flexible substrate. Each conductive threadincludes a second lateral section 359 that extends beyond the outerperimeter of the flexible substrate 332. Collectively, the secondlateral section 359 of the plurality of conductive threads forms atouch-sensitive area 340 for touch sensor 302.

One or more flexible retaining layers 310 can be used to form a housingfor touch sensor 302 and internal electronics module 124. In thisexample, internal electronics module 124 is included within the flexibleretaining layers 310. By way of example, a vacuum sealing, heat sealing,and/or another technique can be used such that the second lateralsection 359 of each of the conductive threads is formed within thesensor assembly at a pre-defined location and spacing relative to theother conductive threads. The one or more flexible retaining layers canfacilitate such positioning and spacing of the conductive threads whileallowing the conductive threads to extend beyond the outer perimeter ofthe flexible substrate on which they are at least partially formed.

The conductive threads may be spaced from one another by a variabledistance to facilitate a compact arrangement while also providing asuitable space for the capacitive touch sensor. As illustrated in FIG.31, for example, the longitudinal section 353 of each conductive threadis spaced from an adjacent longitudinal section 353 of anotherconductive thread by a distance that is less than a distance between thelateral section 359 of each conductive thread. In this manner, a tightspacing or pitch between the longitudinal sections can be utilized tofacilitate connection to the internal electronics module 124 at asmaller pitch or spacing between threads than is used at thetouch-sensitive area 340. At the touch-sensitive area 340, the distancebetween the lateral sections can be made greater to facilitate acapacitive touch sensor that is suitably receptive to touch input.

Internal electronics module 124 includes a plurality of ports includinga communication port 326 and a communication port 328. Communicationport 326 is coupled to a first end portion of communication cable 320.Communication cable 320 includes a second end portion that is coupled toa receptacle 330. Communication port 328 is coupled to a first endportion of a communication cable 322. The second end portion ofcommunication cable 322 is coupled to an output device 323. Outputdevice 323 can be a visual output device including one or more LEDs forproviding a visual output response to touch input received at thecapacitive touch sensor, as well as to input from one or more computingdevices 106. In other examples, communication cable 322 may be coupledto other types of input and/or output devices, such as audio outputdevices (e.g., speakers) and/or haptic output devices (e.g., hapticmotors). Object 104 may also include one or more output devicesconfigured to provide a haptic response, a tactical response, an audioresponse, a visual response, or some combination thereof. Acommunication cable may attach or otherwise coupled to output devicessuch as one or more output devices configured to provide a hapticresponse, tactical response, audio response, a visual response, or somecombination thereof. Output devices may include visual output devices,such as one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), audio output devicessuch as one or more speakers, one or more tactile output devices, and/orone or more haptic output devices.

FIGS. 32-33 illustrate an example of an interactive object 900 inaccordance with example embodiments of the disclosed technology. In thisexample, interactive object 900 is depicted as strap or other flexiblemember. By way of example, interactive object 900 may include a strap ofa backpack, satchel, purse, bag, or other object. In this manner,interactive object 900 may comprise an object suitable for its primarypurpose and that is intended for attachment to another object to form afinal product. FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of a portion of anexample interactive object in which a pre-fabricated sensor assembly inaccordance with example embodiments is integrated. FIG. 33 is a sideperspective view of the example interactive object in which apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodiments isintegrated.

A pre-fabricated sensor assembly can be attached to the pre-fabricatedstrap substrate which can be formed of one or more flexible objectsubstrates. By way of example, a strap can be formed from a flexiblefoam material, a flexible woven or non-woven fabric, or other flexiblematerial. In some examples, a strap can be formed from one or more rigidmaterials. A touch sensor 902 of the pre-fabricated sensor assemblyincludes a plurality of conductive lines 608-1 through 608-24 similar tothose illustrated in FIG. 22. Each of the sensing lines may include amultilayer conductive line structure as earlier described. In otherexamples, each of the sensing lines may include a conductive thread.Touch sensor 902 can be configured as a capacitive touch sensor orresistive touch sensor in example embodiments.

In the particularly described example, the plurality of conductive linesare formed along the first surface of object substrate 920. Theplurality of conductive lines may also extend long the rear surface ofthe object substrate 920. In some examples, one or more shield layers612 may be applied over plurality of sensing lines at the rear surfaceof the objects substrate. One or more adhesive layers 616 may be used toattach the plurality of sensing lines to the object substrate. The oneor more adhesive layers may be formed over the plurality of sensinglines or under the plurality of sensing lines. In other examples, aglue, heat, or other techniques may be used to attach the plurality ofsensing lines to the object substrate. In some examples, the substratemay be folded to encapsulate the plurality of sensing lines such thatthe rear surface of the plurality of sensing lines will be separatedfrom the user other object that may come in contact with the strap.

FIG. 32 illustrates that the plurality of sensing lines may be dividedinto sections with a space therebetween. For example, sensing lines908-1 through 908-12 may form a first touch-sensitive area while thesensing lines 908-13 through 908-24 may form a second touch-sensitivearea. In some examples, sensing lines 908-1 through 908-12 may form afirst capacitive touch sensor in the sensing lines 908-13 through 908-24may form a second capacitive touch sensor. In other examples sensinglines 908-1 through 908-24 can form a single touch sensor.

In some examples, the touch sensor 902 can be formed by folding a sensorassembly 600. For example internal electronics module 124 can be formedbetween two layers of foam that form the strap of the backpack. Theinternal electronics module 124 can be placed in other locations inother examples. Receptacle 330 is integrated within the strap. A portionof receptacle 330 can be exposed to facilitate user removal andinsertion of removable electronics module 150. In other examples,receptacle may be formed within a main body portion of the backpack, orat another location.

FIG. 34 illustrates a user 952, wearing an interactive backpack 954comprising a strap 956 and a strap 958. Strap 958 incorporates apre-fabricated sensor assembly in accordance with example embodimentshas been integrated. In the particularly described example, theplurality of sensing lines 908 of a capacitive touch sensor are formedon a strap as earlier described.

Although FIG. 34 depicts the plurality of sensing lines 608 that arevisible, the plurality of sensing lines may be hidden in other examples.For instance, one or more layers may be formed over the plurality ofsensing lines such that the plurality of sensing lines are hidden fromview.

Receptacle 330 can be coupled to the touch sensor 902 that is integratedwithin a strap or other portion of an interacted object as shown in FIG.35 in some examples. By way of example, a receptacle can be integratedin a portion of the backpack such as within an interior portion of thebackpack. In another example, a receptacle can be integrated within arear portion of the strap for example. Touch sensor 902 can beconfigured as a capacitive touch sensor or resistive touch sensor inexample embodiments.

FIG. 35 illustrates an example receptacle 330 of a pre-fabricated sensorassembly 970 in accordance with example embodiments. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 35, receptacle 330 is integrated within a rear portionof the strap 958 of an interactive object such as an interactivegarment, interactive garment container, or interactive garmentaccessory.

In some examples, a portion of the object substrate or other portion ofthe interactive object can be molded to secure the receptacle in theinteractive object. In other examples, receptacle 330 can be glued,bonded, or otherwise coupled to an object substrate of the interactiveobject.

FIG. 35 illustrates that a removable electronics module 150 may beremovably connected to the receptacle by inserting the removableelectronic module into the receptacle. Receptacle 330 may include one ormore electrical contact pads 382 configured to provide electricalcommunication between the removable electronics module 150 and thepre-fabricated sensor assembly.

FIG. 36 illustrates an example of an interactive object such as aninteractive garment including a sleeve 1002 in which a pre-fabricatedsensor assembly 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments is beingattached. FIG. 36 illustrates an example of attaching a pre-fabricatedsensor assembly to an at least partially preformed object in accordancewith example embodiments. FIG. 36 depicts an example including aninteractive garment, having a sleeve 1002 in which pre-fabricated sensorassembly 300 is to be integrated. It is noted that the use ofpre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 is provided by way of example only.Any of the pre-fabricated sensor assemblies as described herein may beused.

In some examples, pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 can be applied tothe inside portion of the cuff 1004. For example, pre-fabricated sensorassembly 300 can be positioned such that the plurality of sensing linesare adjacent to the inside surface of the textile substrate that formsthe interactive object. In some examples, a shield layer may be utilizedto inhibit touch inputs between the user's arm or other portion that maybe on the inside surface of the sleeve. In some examples, a heatpressing or other thermal application may be applied to connect the oneor more retaining layers to the textile substrate. In other examples,other fastening techniques such as gluing, sewing, bonding, or othertechniques may be used.

Pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 can be inserted in an opening 1006.The cuff 1004 of the interactive object can include an opening 1006. Theopening 1006 in the cuff is one example of a receiving feature of aninteractive object. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly 300 can beinserted in the opening 1006 after the sleeve has been formed. Afterinserting the pre-fabricated sensor assembly, one or more processes canbe used to attach the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to the textilesubstrate. After attaching the pre-fabricated sensor assembly, opening1006 may be close by sewing or another technique. It is noted however,that the pre-fabricated sensor simply can be inserted directly withinthe cuff without utilizing an opening in some examples. The plurality ofsensing lines can extend circumferentially around at least a portion ofthe cuff. In this manner, a user wearing the interactive jacket canprovide swipe or other motions in a direction along the direction of thesleeve to provide swipe gestures and other gestures using theinteractive garment. It is noted that other arrangements of theplurality of sensing lines may be used.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram depicting a manufacturing process 1100 thatcan be utilized in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. A pre-fabricated sensor assembly can be applied to a objectsubstrate is been at least partially formed into an object.

At 1102, process 1100 includes providing a fabricated object having anobject substrate. The fabricated object can be a manufactured objectcomprising an object substrate. The manufactured object can be receivedby a connectorization system. The manufactured object can be in a formsuitable for its primary purpose. For example, the manufacturer objectcan be a garment that is suitable to be worn or garment accessory thatis suitable to be used. As a specific example, one or more seams in agarment can be left open such that a pre-fabricated sensor assembly canbe inserted within the opening. In this manner, the manufactured objectcan include receiving feature. The receiving feature can be an openingor other mechanism whereby a pre-fabricated sensor assembly can beinserted. Numerous types of receiving features can be used. At 1104,process 1100 can include providing a pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly can have a touch sensor (e.g., capacitiveor resistive), an internal electronics module, and a receptacle inexample embodiments. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include acommunication interface having a first in portion coupled to a firstelectronics module and a second and portion coupled to a receptacleconfigured to removably connect a second electronics module to thepre-fabricated sensor assembly. The touch sensor can include a pluralityof flexible sensing elements such as flexible sensing lines elongated ina first direction coupled to the first electronics module. The firstelectronics module can be powered by a power source of the secondelectronics module when the second electronics module is connected tothe pre-fabricated sensor assembly. The fabricated object and thepre-fabricated sensor assembly can be provided to a connectorizationsystem 1106.

Connectorization system 1106 can include a heating component 1108, asewing component 1110, an adhesive component 1112, a bonding component1114, and/or other components that can be utilized to connectpre-fabricated sensor assembly to the fabricated object having an objectsubstrate.

The connectorization system 1106 can be used to create an interactiveobject having an integrated capacitive touch sensor shown at 1116. Insome examples, a first connectorization component can be utilized toattach one portion of the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to aninteractive object in a second connector relation component can utilizeto connect the second portion of the pre-fabricated sensor assemblies tothe interactive object. By way of example, one or more flexibleretaining layers such as one or more encapsulation films can be heatpressed to attach a capacitive touch sensor portion of a capacitivesensor assembly to an interactive object. In another example a sewingcomponent or other bonding component can be utilized to attach thecapacitive touch sensor to the interactive object.

A second connectorization component can be utilized to attach a secondportion of the pre-fabricated sensor assembly to the interactive object.For example, after using a heating component 1108 to attach one or moreretaining layers housing a capacitive touch sensor, sewing component1110 can be utilized to attach a receptacle to the interactive object.Other examples and combinations can be used.

In accordance with example embodiments, a pre-fabricated sensor assemblyfor an interactive object including an object substrate can be provided.The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a capacitive touch sensorthat includes a plurality of flexible sensing lines elongated in atleast a first direction. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly can includea first electronics module comprising sensing circuitry in electricalcommunication with the plurality of flexible sensing lines. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly can include a communication interfacecomprising a first end portion coupled to the first electronics moduleand comprising a second end portion. The pre-fabricated sensor assemblycan include a receptacle coupled to the second end portion of thecommunication interface. The receptacle can include one or moreelectrical contacts for electrically coupling to a second electronicsmodule. The receptacle can be configured to removably connect the secondelectronics module to the pre-fabricated sensor assembly. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly can include one or more flexibleretaining layers that define a housing for a first portion of thepre-fabricated sensor assembly. The first portion of the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly can include at least a portion of each of the pluralityof flexible sensing lines.

FIG. 38 illustrates various components of an example computing system1202 that can implement any type of client, server, and/or computingdevice described herein. In embodiments, computing system 1202 can beimplemented as one or a combination of a wired and/or wireless wearabledevice, System-on-Chip (SoC), and/or as another type of device orportion thereof. Computing system 1202 may also be associated with auser (e.g., a person) and/or an entity that operates the device suchthat a device describes logical devices that include users, software,firmware, and/or a combination of devices.

Computing system 1202 includes a communication interface 1214 thatenables wired and/or wireless communication of data 1208 (e.g., receiveddata, data that is being received, data scheduled for broadcast, datapackets of the data, etc.). Data 1208 can include configuration settingsof the device, media content stored on the device, and/or informationassociated with a user of the device. Media content stored on computingsystem 1202 can include any type of audio, video, and/or image data.Computing system 1202 includes one or more data inputs via which anytype of data, media content, and/or inputs can be received, such ashuman utterances, touch data generated by a touch sensor,user-selectable inputs (explicit or implicit), messages, music,television media content, recorded video content, and any other type ofaudio, video, and/or image data received from any content and/or datasource.

Communication interfaces can be implemented as any one or more of aserial and/or parallel interface, a wireless interface, any type ofnetwork interface, a modem, and as any other type of communicationinterface. Communication interfaces provide a connection and/orcommunication links between computing system 1202 and a communicationnetwork by which other electronic, computing, and communication devicescommunicate data with computing system 1202.

Computing system 1202 includes one or more processors 1204 (e.g., any ofmicroprocessors, controllers, and the like), which process variouscomputer-executable instructions to control the operation of computingsystem 1202 and to enable techniques for, or in which can be embodied,interactive cord. Alternatively or in addition, computing system 1202can be implemented with any one or combination of hardware, firmware, orfixed logic circuitry that is implemented in connection with processingand control circuits. Although not shown, computing system 1202 caninclude a system bus or data transfer system that couples the variouscomponents within the device. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processoror local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures.

Computing system 1202 also includes memory 1206 which may includecomputer-readable media, such as one or more memory devices that enablepersistent and/or non-transitory data storage (i.e., in contrast to meresignal transmission), examples of which include random access memory(RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any one or more of a read-only memory(ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), and a disk storage device. Adisk storage device may be implemented as any type of magnetic oroptical storage device, such as a hard disk drive, a recordable and/orrewriteable compact disc (CD), any type of a digital versatile disc(DVD), and the like. Memory 1206 may also include a mass storage mediadevice of computing system 1202.

Computer-readable media provides data storage mechanisms to store devicedata, as well as computer-readable instructions 1210 which can implementvarious device applications and any other types of information and/ordata related to operational aspects of computing system 1202. Forexample, an operating system can be maintained as a computer applicationwith computer-readable media and executed on processors 1204. Deviceapplications may include a device manager, such as any form of a controlapplication, software application, signal-processing and control module,code that is native to a particular device, a hardware abstraction layerfor a particular device, and so on.

Memory 1206 may also include a motion manager 1212. Motion manager 1212is capable of interacting with applications and touch sensor 102effective to activate various functionalities associated with computingdevice 106 and/or applications through touch-input (e.g., gestures)received by touch sensor 102. Motion manager 1212 may be implemented ata computing device 106 that is local to object 104 or remote from object104. Motion manager 1212 is one example of a controller.

The technology discussed herein makes reference to servers, databases,software applications, and other computer-based systems, as well asactions taken and information sent to and from such systems. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibilityof computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possibleconfigurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionalitybetween and among components. For instance, server processes discussedherein may be implemented using a single server or multiple serversworking in combination. Databases and applications may be implemented ona single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributedcomponents may operate sequentially or in parallel.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The technology discussed herein makes reference to servers, databases,software applications, and other computer-based systems, as well asactions taken and information sent to and from such systems. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibilityof computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possibleconfigurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionalitybetween and among components. For instance, server processes discussedherein may be implemented using a single server or multiple serversworking in combination. Databases and applications may be implemented ona single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributedcomponents may operate sequentially or in parallel.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable electronics device, comprising: oneor more processors; an inertial measurement unit; a first communicationinterface including a connector configured to communicatively couple andremovably and physically couple the removable electronics device to oneor more computing devices; a second communication interface comprising aplurality of contact pads configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronics device to a plurality of pre-fabricated sensorassemblies, each pre-fabricated sensor assembly of the pluralityincluding a respective touch sensor having a respective plurality ofsensing elements, wherein the respective touch sensors of at least twoof the pre-fabricated sensor assemblies include different sensor layoutsfor the respective pluralities of sensing elements; and a housing atleast partially enclosing the processor, the inertial measurement unit,the first communication interface, and the second communicationinterface, wherein the housing comprises a first opening in at least onelongitudinal surface and adjacent to at least a portion of the connectorand a plurality of second openings in a lower surface and adjacent tothe plurality of contact pads of the second communication interface. 2.The removable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the housingcomprises one or more retaining elements configured to removably couplethe removable electronics device to a plurality of respectivereceptacles of the plurality of pre-fabricated sensor assemblies,wherein the respective receptacles of two or more of the plurality ofpre-fabricated sensor assemblies have different form factors; and theone or more retaining elements include a first indent disposed along afirst longitudinal surface of the housing and a second indent disposedalong a second longitudinal surface of the housing.
 3. The removableelectronic device of claim 2, wherein: the one or more retainingelements include a third indent disposed along a lateral wall of thehousing.
 4. The removable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: theplurality of contact pads are configured to communicatively couple theremovable electronic device to a first pre-fabricated sensor assemblywhen the removable electronics device is inserted in a first receptacleof the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly and to communicativelycouple the removable electronics device to a second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly when the removable electronic device is inserted in asecond receptacle of the second pre-fabricated sensor assembly.
 5. Theremovable electronic device of claim 4, wherein: a respective uppersurface of each of the plurality of contact pads defines a plane that isseparated vertically from a plane defined by the lower surface of thehousing.
 6. The removable electronic device of claim 4, wherein: atleast one of the plurality of contact pads is configured to providepower from a power source of the removable electronics device to arespective pre-fabricated sensor assembly of the plurality ofpre-fabricated sensor assemblies when the removable electronics deviceis physically coupled to the respective pre-fabricated sensor assembly.7. The removable electronic device of claim 6, wherein: at least one ofthe plurality of contact pads is configured to provide data from the oneor more processors to the respective pre-fabricated sensor assembly whenthe removable electronics device is physically coupled to the respectivepre-fabricated sensor assembly.
 8. The removable electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readablemedia that collectively store instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the one or more processors to performoperations, the operations comprising: analyzing touch data from a firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly to detect one or more pre-defined motionsbased on one or more first pre-defined parameters associated with therespective touch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensor assembly; andanalyzing touch data from a second pre-fabricated sensor assembly todetect the one or more pre-defined motions based on one or more secondpre-defined parameters associated with the respective touch sensor ofthe second pre-fabricated sensor assembly.
 9. The removable electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media that collectively store instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform operations, the operations comprising: detecting that theremovable electronics device is physically coupled to a firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly via the second communication interface;obtaining one or more first pre-defined parameters from at least oneremote computing device via a wireless network interface in response todetecting that the removable electronics device is physically coupled tothe first pre-fabricated sensor assembly; configuring the removableelectronics device to detect one or more pre-defined motions based atleast in part on the one or more first pre-defined parameters;subsequent to configuring the removable electronics device to detect theone or more pre-defined motions based at least in part on the one ormore first pre-defined parameters, detecting that the removableelectronics device is physically coupled to a second pre-fabricatedsensor assembly via the second communication interface; obtaining one ormore second pre-defined parameters from the at least one remotecomputing device via the wireless network interface in response todetecting that the removable electronics device is physically coupled tothe second pre-fabricated sensor assembly; and configuring the removableelectronics device to detect the one or more pre-defined motions basedat least in part on the one or more second pre-defined parameters. 10.The removable electronic device of claim 9, wherein: configuring theremovable electronics device to detect the one or more pre-definedmotions based at least in part on the one or more first pre-definedparameters comprises configuring one or more machine-learned models todetect the one or more pre-defined motions based at least in part on theone or more first pre-defined parameters; and configuring the removableelectronics device to detect the one or more pre-defined motions basedat least in part on the one or more second pre-defined parameterscomprises configuring the one or more machine-learned models to detectthe one or more pre-defined motions based at least in part on the one ormore second pre-defined parameters.
 11. The removable electronics deviceof claim 1, further comprising: an interactive backpack including afirst pre-fabricated sensor assembly; and an interactive jacketincluding a second pre-fabricated sensor assembly.
 12. A pre-fabricatedsensor assembly for an interactive object, the pre-fabricated sensorassembly comprising: a touch sensor comprising a plurality of flexiblesensing elements; a first electronics device comprising sensingcircuitry in electrical communication with the plurality of flexiblesensing elements; one or more flexible retaining layers that define ahousing for at least a portion of each of the plurality of flexiblesensing elements; a receptacle coupled to the first electronics deviceand disposed outside the housing; and a removable electronics devicecomprising a first communication interface including a connectorconfigured for data and power communication with one or more computingdevices and to removably and physically couple the removable electronicsdevice to the one or more computing devices, a second communicationinterface configured for data and power communication with thepre-fabricated sensor assembly, and a housing at least partiallyenclosing the first communication interface and the second communicationinterface, wherein the housing comprises a first opening in at least onelongitudinal surface and adjacent to at least a portion of the connectorand a plurality of second openings in a lower surface and adjacent to aplurality of contact pads of the second communication interface.
 13. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein the receptaclecomprises: a slot comprising a base member, a top member, a firstlongitudinal sidewall, and a second longitudinal sidewall, wherein thefirst longitudinal sidewall is coupled to the base member by a firstcurved section and is coupled to the top member by a second curvedsection, wherein the second longitudinal sidewall is connected to thebase member by a third curved section and is connected to the top memberby a fourth curved section, wherein the base member has a length in alongitudinal direction that is less than a length of the top member inthe longitudinal direction.
 14. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises: a plurality of openings inthe base member; a plurality of contact protrusions that extend at leastpartially through the plurality of openings in the base member, theplurality of contact protrusions are configured to contact a pluralityof contacts of the removable electronics device; a flexible attachmentmember coupled to the slot and configured for attachment to aninteractive object, the flexible attachment member at least partiallyenclosing the slot; and one or more first retaining elements comprisinga first detent on the first longitudinal sidewall of the slot and asecond detent on the second longitudinal sidewall of the slot, the firstdetent configured to extend at least partially within a first indent ofthe receptacle and the second detent configured to extend at leastpartially within a second indent of the receptacle.
 15. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein the receptaclecomprises: one or more retaining elements; a base member including aplurality of openings; a first longitudinal sidewall comprising a firstvertically extending retaining member, the one or more retainingelements including a first detent on the first vertically extendingretaining member, wherein the first detent is configured to extend atleast partially within a first indent of the receptacle when theremovable electronic device is inserted in the receptacle; and a secondlongitudinal sidewall comprising a second vertically extending retainingmember, the one or more retaining elements including a second detent onthe second vertically extending retaining member, wherein the seconddetent is configured to extend at least partially within a second indentof the receptacle when the removable electronic device is inserted inthe receptacle.
 16. The pre-fabricated sensor assembly of claim 15,wherein the receptacle comprises: a plurality of contact protrusionsthat extend at least partially through the plurality of openings in thebase member of the receptacle, the plurality of contact protrusions areconfigured to contact the plurality of contacts of the removableelectronic device when the removable electronic device is inserted inthe receptacle; and a lateral wall comprising a vertical section and acurved section, the curved section configured to contact at least aportion of an upper surface of the removable electronic device when theremovable electronic device is inserted in the receptacle.
 17. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly of claim 16, wherein: the firstlongitudinal sidewall includes a first curved section configured tocontact a lateral surface of the removable electronic device when theremovable electronic device is inserted in the receptacle; and thesecond longitudinal sidewall includes a second curved section configuredto contact the lateral surface of the removable electronic device whenthe removable electronic device is inserted in the receptacle.
 18. Thepre-fabricated sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein: the pre-fabricatedsensor assembly is a first pre-fabricated sensor assembly; the removableelectronics device further comprises one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media that collectively store instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations, the operations comprising: analyzing touch data fromthe first pre-fabricated sensor assembly to detect one or morepre-defined motions based on one or more first pre-defined parametersassociated with the touch sensor of the first pre-fabricated sensorassembly; and analyzing touch data from a second pre-fabricated sensorassembly to detect the one or more pre-defined motions based on one ormore second pre-defined parameters associated with the touch sensor ofthe second pre-fabricated sensor assembly.
 19. An electronics system,comprising: a removable electronics device comprising a processor, aninertial measurement unit, a first communication interface including aconnector configured to communicatively couple the removable electronicsdevice to one or more computing devices and to removably and physicallycouple the removable electronics device to the one or more computingdevices, a communication interface including a plurality of contact padsconfigured for communication with a plurality of pre-fabricated sensorassemblies, and a housing at least partially enclosing the processor,the inertial measurement unit, and the communication interface, whereinthe housing includes one or more retaining elements; a first interactiveobject comprising a first pre-fabricated sensor assembly, the firstpre-fabricated sensor assembly comprising: a first capacitive touchsensor comprising a first plurality of flexible sensing elements havinga first sensor layout; a first internal electronics device comprisingsensing circuitry in electrical communication with the first pluralityof flexible sensing elements; and a first receptacle having a first formfactor and including one or more retaining elements configured tophysically and removably couple to the one or more retaining elements ofthe removable electronics device, the first receptacle comprising afirst plurality of contact protrusions that extend from a firstplurality of openings in a first base member of the first receptacle tocontact the plurality of contact pads of the removable electronicsdevice when inserted in the first receptacle; and a second interactiveobject comprising a second pre-fabricated sensor assembly, the secondpre-fabricated sensor assembly comprising: a second capacitive touchsensor comprising a second plurality of flexible sensing elements; asecond internal electronics device comprising second sensing circuitryin electrical communication with the second plurality of flexiblesensing elements; and a second receptacle having a second form factorand including one or more receiving elements configured to physicallyand removably couple to the one or more retaining elements of theremovable electronics device, the second receptacle comprising a secondplurality of contact protrusions that extend from a second plurality ofopenings in a second base member of the second receptacle.